IMO BREAKING NEWS BLOG

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi on Sunday paid a condolence visit to the Ajimobi family following the death of their daughter, Abisola Kola-Daisi.

Abisola, daughter of the late former Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi, died of cancer in the UK on March 27. She is survived by her husband and three children.

Governor Abiodun described her passing as a “devastating loss,” offering prayers for the family’s strength and healing.

Troops of 6 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 3 Operation WHIRL STROKE (OPWS) have neutralised three bandits, destroyed several camps, and recovered arms and ammunition in a daring clearance operation in Karim Lamido Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The operation which took place yon April 5, 2025 is in continuation of the ongoing military operations codenamed Operation Lafiya Jamaa aimed at flushing out criminal elements from Taraba State.

This is contained in a press statement issued by the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 6 Brigade, Captain Olubodunde Oni.

According to the statement, the operation, which targeted suspected bandits’ hideouts, saw troops advancing to Achalle where they thoroughly cleared the general area before projecting further force into Chibi. “On arrival at Chibi, the troops made contact with the bandits, who began fleeing upon sighting the advancing forces,” the statement read.

“In the engagement that ensued, three bandits were neutralized, and several makeshift camps used by the criminals were destroyed. Troops also recovered 2 motorcycles, 1 AK-47 magazine, and 13 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition from the scene.” The troops also conducted a thorough combing of the Dutsen Zaki and Achalle axis where over seventy criminal camps have been dismantled in recent weeks.

Oni stated that no human activity was observed during this latest sweep, indicating the sustained success of previous operations. 

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) says its operatives have intercepted cocaine hidden inside the walls of several suitcases.

NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a post on Sunday, attaching the videos of the seized contraband on X.

He decried a situation whereby the smugglers went to extreme lengths, factory-fitting the hard drugs within the luggage with surgical precision.

“Narco-trend update: Strewing the walls of suitcases, in factory fitting precision, with cocaine, must have taken lot of efforts and resources but at the end #ndlea_nigeria officers still uncovered all as revealed in these videos that captured the latest seizure by #ndlea,” the statement read.

According to the video released by the agency, officers were slicing through suitcase linings to remove the hidden cocaine. 

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has hailed the Ogun State Government and sports betting giant, BetKing, for their instrumental role in hosting the ongoing BetKing 3×3 National Wheelchair Basketball Championship at the Alake Sports Centre in Ijeja, Abeokuta.

During a visit to the championship venue, Olopade expressed admiration for the rapid development of wheelchair basketball in Nigeria and praised the collaboration between the government, the private sector, and the sport’s governing body. “I fell in love with this sport 15 years ago,” Olopade said. “What I’ve witnessed here is truly impressive — it reflects the sport’s growth and the incredible work being done by the federation, particularly Seyi Johnson and other board members.”

The championship, which runs from April 3 to 7, serves as a selection ground for players who will represent Nigeria at the upcoming tournament in Agadir. Olopade noted a significant uptick in participation, with several states presenting competitive teams. “States like Oyo, Lagos, and Delta no longer have a monopoly. We’re now seeing new contenders with formidable squads. It’s a sign of healthy competition,” he added. Highlighting the broader impact of the event, Olopade tied the championship to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda, noting its emphasis on inclusivity and equal opportunities for differently abled athletes.

“These athletes are resilient, talented, and deserve platforms like this. Under our RHINSE initiative, they play a vital role in advancing sports across the country,” he explained. The NSC DG also commended Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, for his unwavering commitment to sports infrastructure and development. “In just one year, the transformation of the Alake Sports Centre is remarkable. Governor Abiodun’s dedication speaks volumes, and his presence at the championship underlines Ogun State’s readiness to host a world-class National Sports Festival this May,” Olopade noted.

He further lauded BetKing for its ongoing support, describing the brand as a consistent champion of wheelchair basketball in Nigeria. “What BetKing has done over the past five years cannot be overstated. Their investment in the sport has been game-changing, and we’re incredibly grateful,” he said. As the championship continues, national selectors remain on the lookout for standout talents to represent Nigeria on the international stage. 

The Nigerian government has described its relationship with Senegal as a strategic partnership built on a foundation of shared history, democratic values and economic interdependence. This followed Vice President Kashim Shettima’s presence at Senegal’s 65th Independence Day Anniversary held at the Place de la Nation in Dakar on Friday.

VP Shettima had represented President Bola Tinubu at the event where President Bassirou Diomaye Faye of Senegal played host to guests from across Africa and beyond. Speaking on the sidelines of the event in Dakar, Nigerian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, said there were very strong bilateral ties between Nigeria and Senegal, noting that both countries achieved independence in 1960 and have maintained shared commitments to democratic governance and regional security.

Also on Nigeria’s delegation was Hon. Oluwole Oke, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. “Senegal and Nigeria have very strong bilateral ties. This has been as a result of our shared history and circumstances—both countries attained independence at about the same time in 1960,” the Minister stated. Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu emphasised the need for continued collaboration in democracy, trade, and security between the two countries. She said, “Both countries have remained committed to deepening democratic governance, values, and constitutional governance in the African continent. We have also jointly remained committed in the fight against terrorism and building strong regional institutions.”

The Minister revealed that Senegal accounts for 68.7% of Nigeria’s exports within the ECOWAS market—an indicator of Nigeria’s central role in regional trade. “Senegal takes 68.7% exports from Nigeria within the ECOWAS market,” she disclosed, describing the statistic as a reflection of “mutually beneficial economic cooperation.” 

The driver and conductor of a BRT bus have fled for their lives, abandoning passengers to their fate as a BRT bus caught fire at Maryland, Lagos State, on Saturday morning.

Our correspondent, who was at the scene of the incident, said the bus was coming from Ikorodu, heading to CMS, when the sad incident occurred. As of the time of filing this report, officers of the Nigeria Police Force, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), fire service and the neighbourhood security outfit were already on ground to contain the fire.

One of the passengers on the bus said the fire started as smoke from the driver’s side. According to her, the passengers initially thought the smoke emanated from other buses, however, the small smoke soon worsened, immediately sending them all into panic mode.

“As soon as we saw that the smoke grew bigger, we immediately rushed off the bus before the fire ignited”, she said, adding that none of the passengers sustained any injury. She added that the driver fled the scene immediately after the fire started. “The driver and the conductor ran away. They didn’t even wait to see what would happen to us.

“Definitely, they knew what happened. They knew the bus was bad before putting it on the road and risking our lives,” she alleged.