Several passengers are feared dead after a train on the Warri–Itakpe corridor derailed on Monday, sparking urgent rescue operations.

The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) confirmed the incident, noting that emergency response teams and relevant agencies have been deployed to assist victims and manage the situation.

“The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) confirms that an incident involving the Warri–Itakpe Train Service (WITS) occurred today. Emergency response teams and relevant authorities are currently at the scene attending to the situation and providing necessary assistance,” NRC Managing Director Kayode Opeifa stated.

Authorities have yet to release the official casualty figures, but investigations and rescue efforts are ongoing. The NRC assured that a detailed statement will follow once more information becomes available.

This derailment raises fresh concerns about railway safety in Nigeria, as the Warri–Itakpe line has been a critical transport corridor for passengers and goods.

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Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has signed the state’s Electricity Bill into law, describing it as a landmark step toward improving power supply, attracting investment, and driving economic growth.

In a statement by his Technical Adviser on Media and Strategic Communication, Chief Solomon Iorpev, Alia said the new law would open the power sector to increased investment, promote competition, enhance consumer protection, and expand electricity access to underserved communities.

The governor noted that the legislation would boost businesses, stimulate industrial growth, create jobs, and improve service delivery across both urban and rural areas.

He commended the Benue State House of Assembly for passing the bill, stressing that his administration is determined to break bureaucratic bottlenecks and accelerate development.

Alia added that although the law should have been enacted years ago, his government is committed to building lasting achievements that future generations will be proud of.

The bill, passed months earlier by the Assembly, is part of broader reforms to strengthen infrastructure and regulatory systems.

It also establishes the Benue State Electricity/Power Management Agency to oversee electricity management and distribution.

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has named Damilola Sonayon-James, 40, as the running mate to Obafemi Hamzat, its governorship candidate for the 2027 Lagos State election.

Sonayon-James, who currently serves as the party’s deputy woman leader in Lagos, was unveiled after what APC leaders described as a rigorous selection process.

Announcing the decision, Lagos APC chairman Cornelius Ojelabi said her emergence was based on competence, leadership capacity, grassroots acceptance, and loyalty to the party.

Ojelabi praised her track record, noting that she had distinguished herself through service and dedication.

He expressed confidence in the Hamzat–Sonayon-James ticket, describing it as one capable of advancing Lagos’s development agenda.

Sonayon-James is a governance and development professional with over 15 years of experience in public policy, sustainability, and community development.

She previously served as supervisor for agriculture and social services in Badagry West LCDA, where she championed initiatives in women’s empowerment, youth inclusion, and agricultural growth.

Popularly known as “Sisi Eko of APC,” she has also been active in grassroots mobilization and women’s leadership development.

The party said her selection underscores its commitment to inclusive leadership, youth participation, and women’s representation in governance.

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The House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee has announced the recovery of ₦521.77 million in unremitted Value Added Tax (VAT) from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The recovered funds represent VAT deductions on fees earned from Remita transactions between November 2018 and April 2024 that were not previously remitted to the Federal Government.

The investigation, launched by the House following concerns about revenue leakages and breaches of financial procedures, was led by committee chairman and Osun lawmaker, Bamidele Salam.

The committee directed the apex bank to remit the outstanding VAT, and the CBN confirmed compliance in a letter dated May 7, 2026, providing evidence of payment into government coffers.

Salam described the recovery as a validation of the National Assembly’s oversight role, stressing that legislative scrutiny remains vital to safeguarding public funds.

“The recovery demonstrates the effectiveness of oversight in ensuring accountability in government revenue management,” he said.

Beyond the VAT recovery, the committee disclosed that other outstanding liabilities involving the CBN are under review.

These include unrefunded charges of ₦954.3m with accrued interest of ₦2.33bn (totaling ₦3.28bn), and Treasury Single Account collections of ₦8.99bn with accumulated interest of ₦20.73bn, bringing the combined outstanding liability to over ₦33bn.

The committee is scheduled to resume hearings on June 8, 2026, at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, where officials will provide further clarifications on unresolved liabilities.

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The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has deployed an aerial surveillance aircraft to aid the rescue of teachers and pupils abducted from Yawota and Ahoro-Esinele communities in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State.

NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, confirmed the deployment in a statement on Sunday, noting that Governor Seyi Makinde disclosed the intervention during a courtesy visit by senior Air Force officials.

Makinde explained that the surveillance platform was activated immediately after the abduction was reported, providing critical intelligence to security agencies coordinating the search-and-rescue mission.

He assured residents that all necessary resources were being mobilized to secure the victims’ release.

“The intelligence generated from the surveillance missions has continued to assist security agencies in tracking developments and coordinating efforts towards securing the safe release of the victims,” Makinde said.

The governor commended the swift response of the Air Force, highlighting that the surveillance aircraft was made available while Oyo State’s newly acquired aerial assets are still being assembled at the NAF Base in Lagos.

He expressed optimism that the state’s investment in aerial platforms would significantly boost security operations once fully operational.

Speaking on behalf of the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Suleh reaffirmed the Air Force’s commitment to supporting the rescue efforts and pledged continued collaboration with other security agencies.

The abduction, which occurred on May 15, 2026, involved 39 students and seven teachers from three schools in Oriire LGA, raising fresh concerns about school safety and persistent attacks on educational institutions.

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Former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai (Rtd), has lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the N1.245 trillion dualisation of the Gombe-Biu Highway, describing it as a transformative infrastructure project for the North-East.

Buratai noted that the highway, first constructed in 1962, is being revived under Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, reflecting the administration’s commitment to regional connectivity and economic growth.

The 139-kilometre road will be dualised using rigid pavement technology, a move expected to ease transportation, boost trade, and strengthen integration across the region.

He emphasised that the project could open new opportunities for businesses and local communities by improving access and reducing travel challenges.

Beyond economic benefits, Buratai highlighted its strategic importance, saying improved road infrastructure would enhance logistics, support the movement of personnel and supplies, and contribute to security and stability in the North-East.

The retired Army Chief also commended the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, alongside Governors Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe and Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno, for their collaboration in advancing the project.

Calling the initiative a significant investment in regional development, Buratai urged residents and stakeholders to support its successful implementation.

He expressed optimism that the project would deliver lasting benefits for communities along the corridor and accelerate socio-economic progress in the region.

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The Federal Government has finalized the screening of Nigerians who registered for evacuation from South Africa, setting the stage for their safe return home.

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, officials confirmed that the exercise began on Thursday, June 4, and was jointly conducted by the Nigerian High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation, the South African Police Service, and immigration authorities.

The screening was aimed at verifying the identities and eligibility of Nigerians seeking evacuation amid heightened security concerns and renewed xenophobic attacks.

With the process now concluded, authorities will determine the final list of cleared evacuees before deploying aircraft to convey them back to Nigeria.

“The Government will subsequently conclude arrangements for the deployment of aircraft to convey the evacuees back to Nigeria,” the ministry stated.

The Federal Government emphasized its commitment to safeguarding the welfare of Nigerians abroad and ensuring the safe return of those affected by the latest wave of anti-foreigner violence in South Africa.

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The Oyo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of four suspects and the killing of two others during a rescue operation that freed Busola Adegoke John-Paul, younger sister of former Minister of Power and APC governorship aspirant, Bayo Adelabu, along with her twin sons in Ibadan.

The victims, abducted on Wednesday morning while on their way to school, were rescued late Saturday night after a raid on a three-bedroom bungalow in Ayegun, Oluyole Local Government Area.

Commissioner of Police, Oluwagbemiga Abimbola, told journalists on Sunday that the operation was based on a tip-off. Firearms, including a pump-action rifle, were recovered during the raid.

“The police acted on a tip-off, which eventually resulted in the rescuing of the victims,” Abimbola said.

The operation involved a shootout in which two suspects were neutralized, while others escaped with bullet wounds. The four arrested suspects are currently in custody.

The abduction had sparked tension in Ibadan after armed attackers trailed and intercepted the victims’ vehicle at Elewura-Challenge around 7:30 a.m. on June 3.

The successful rescue has been hailed as a major breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping in Oyo State, though police say investigations are ongoing to track down fleeing suspects.

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The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Policy Communication, Daniel Bwala, has advised former Vice President, Atiku
Abubakar to support President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Bwala gave the advice during an interview on Symfoni TV, where he questioned Atiku’s current political strength and future chances.

He said Atiku has never historically relied on a strong regional voting base, noting that his support has always been spread across the country.

“Historically, Atiku has never commanded more votes from the
Northwest. His votes are usually spread across the nation because of his
national outlook,” he said.

According to him, Atiku’s influence in the North may not be as strong as many people assume, especially considering recent political developments.

“In 2023, he even lost some states in the Northeast. So we are speaking to facts and figures, not assumptions,” Bwala stated.

He also pointed to the influence of other political figures.

He said the presence of Rabiu Kwankwaso, who has now aligned
with Peter Obi, has further reduced Atiku’s political strength.

“There is the Kwankwaso factor who has now aligned with Peter Obi, and his influence has affected Atiku. So when you ask about Atiku’s electoral value now, you have to consider these realities,” he added.

Bwala questioned the former vice president’s political structure, asking who his key allies are at the state level.

“I ask you, who are Atiku’s governors? What structure does he have? He doesn’t really have that structure,” he said.

He described the 2023 presidential election as Atiku’s best chance at becoming president, adding that the circumstances at the time worked
in his favour.

“2023 was the biggest opportunity Atiku had in his political life,” he said.

Bwala explained that certain narratives during the election period, including religious and regional sentiments, helped Atiku gain support.

“There was this belief that power would remain in the North, and that influenced how people voted. Religious leaders and political actors also played a role in shaping opinions,” he said.

However, he noted that many of the key political figures and supporters who worked for Atiku in 2023 are no longer with him.

“The people who were strong supporters then are no longer with him now. That has weakened his position,” he added.

Bwala also expressed concern that Atiku could perform below expectations if he contests again in 2027.

“My fear is that he might even perform below expectations, possibly behind other candidates. What would that mean for his legacy?” he
said.

He then advised Atiku to consider supporting President Tinubu instead of running again.

“I want to urge him to come and sit with his friend (Tinubu), and support him. He has four years to complete his term, and after that, you can pursue your interests not you (Atiku) but whoever you think
should be part of the process,” he said.

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