Two suspected scrap metal scavengers have died following an explosion that occurred beneath a large drainage channel along Nekede old road in
Owerri West LGA of Imo state.

Henry Okoye, police spokesperson in Imo, said in a statement on Friday that the incident occurred at about 9:15pm on Thursday.

Okoye identified the victims as Hyginus Akalonu, 32, from Umulumu in Ehime Mbano LGA of Imo state, and Victor Egwu, 22, from Agba Ishielu
in Ebonyi state.

He said operatives swiftly responded after receiving reports of the explosion, cordoned off the area and deployed the command’s explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) unit to secure and thoroughly sweep the scene.

He said the area has since been declared safe, adding that the two victims were inside the drainage channel when the explosion occurred.

“They sustained severe burn injuries during the incident and were promptly evacuated to the Federal University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Owerri, where they were confirmed dead while receiving treatment,” the statement reads.

“The Command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit has commenced a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause and circumstances surrounding the explosion. Further updates will be communicated as the investigation progresses.

Okoye urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious objects or activities to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency lines.

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The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has rejected an order by the Federal High Court in Lokoja setting aside an earlier judgment that compelled the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the
party.

A statement on Thursday by Moses Cleopas, national chairman of the NDC, said the party has instructed its lawyers to challenge the ruling at the Court of Appeal.

Cleopas said the ruling followed an application filed by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which he described as an unregistered association unknown to the NDC.

According to him, the federal high court had, in December 2025, upheld the party’s constitutional right to freedom of association and ordered INEC to register it as a political party.

He said the NDC has since registered members, conducted ward, local government, state and national congresses, held its national
convention and concluded primaries in line with INEC’s timetable.

Cleopas added that the party participated in the recent bye-elections in Nasarawa and Enugu states and has nominated candidates for all elective offices ahead of the 2027 general election.

‘THERE WAS NO ORDER DIRECTING OUR DEREGISTRATION’

The NDC said the court did not order its deregistration despite setting aside the earlier judgment.

“There was no order directing our deregistration. We assure the general public, and particularly our candidates at all levels, that our party is on course,” the statement reads.

“The NDC has not been deregistered, and we are challenging today’s order at the Court of Appeal as soon as possible. We have no doubt that justice will be done.”

The party said all nominations made on its platform remain valid pending the determination of the appeal.

The NDC noted that the federal high court had become “functus officio” after delivering its final judgment in the matter.

The party said issues relating to its logo and symbol had already been determined in the earlier judgment and that no appeal was filed against the decision.

The party further said the PMP is neither a registered political party nor an association participating in the current registration process.

“To now try to upturn that verdict through the back door, via a motion, is not only unheard-of, but also illegal and an outright abuse of court process,” the statement added.

The NDC also accused unnamed persons of attempting to “shrink the democratic space and stifle opposition voices”.

“We condemn efforts by those who seek to shrink the democratic space and stifle opposition voices and alternatives,” the party said.

“Nigerians have a right to a full range of opinions, ideas, and alternatives, and political platforms and candidates should be allowed to participate in the 2027 general election process.”

The party expressed confidence that the court of appeal would overturn the ruling.

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Former presidential media aide and a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bashir Ahmad, has said the presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, should be worried about the move to de-register the party.

Recall that the Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Friday set aside its earlier judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to register the NDC as a political party.

The ruling followed an application by the Peace Movement Party (PMP), which asked that the December 2025 judgment be set aside because it was not joined in the suit.

In his judgment, Justice Isah Dashen declared that all relevant parties must be heard before any substantive decision can be made in the matter.

Reacting, Bashir, in a post on his official X handle, said Obi and Kwankwaso should be worried, stating that the two politicians currently have no legally recognised platform on which to contest the next election.

He wrote, “Sen. Rabiu Kwankwaso and Peter Obi have every reason to be worried.

“As things stand today, they have no legally recognised platform on which to pursue their political ambitions, as the NDC is not recognised by law.”

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Former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, has said that forces from the Federal Government were working to stop him from being on the ballot in 2027.

Obi, who was a guest speaker at a leadership programme hosted by a group, NextGen Mentorship and Leadership Initiative, on Friday at
Madonna University, Okija, Anambra State, also challenged all those aspiring to be President of Nigeria, including President Bola Tinubu, to a debate, insisting that he is the most qualified of all of them.

Obi also reacted to the judgment of a Federal High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, which set aside its earlier ruling directing the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to register the NDC as a political party.

Speaking to students, Obi said, “If you know what they are doing to ensure that I’m not on the ballot in 2027, you will be surprised. The Nigerian government is doing everything it can to ensure that I do not contest this election, but I’m not looking at the obstacles; I’m looking at the destination.

“I’m rather focused on the fruitfulness of the destination, and that is what keeps me going.

“I’m not desperate to be Nigerian President, but desperate to see Nigeria work. Go and obtain your PVC. If you don’t vote, you are hurting your future. When you have your PVC, do not vote for me because I’m an Igbo man. I’m not contesting the election because I’m an Igbo man, but vote for me because I’m the most qualified.

“I challenge any of those contesting in a debate to say what they want to do for this country, including President Bola Tinubu. I’m not saying it to make you happy, but to change Nigeria and make it work.

“It is not about Igbo people, but I want a Nigeria where the child of a nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody. We want a country that will work. The greatest beneficiaries of my presidency will be the north.

“I will fight to make Nigeria better and end the criminality in Nigeria. There is insecurity in the entire country and everyone is involved, so I want to build a country that works.”

Obi insisted that Nigeria’s problem was a lack of commitment by leaders, saying that some forces, which he described as reactionary forces, were bent on holding the country down.

Speaking on the deregistration of the NDC, Obi said, “They can not stop me. They will fail. Let me assure you it is not the end of the road. We are committed to this democracy, and those who want to kill this democracy are trying to hurt society.

“The reactionary elements in Nigeria, those who are bent on holding Nigeria down, do not want it to work but I can assure you it would work. I have confidence that I will pull through because the will of the people must
prevail.

“Nowhere is safe in Nigeria today, yet the people who should help salvage the country are bent on hurting our democracy. My message to all those who mean well for Nigeria and not just my supporters is for us to remain peaceful and continue to resist this tragedy being imposed on Nigeria.”

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Daniel Bwala, President Bola Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Policy Communication, has claimed that Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of
the Nigeria Democratic Congress, gets angry whenever Nigeria makes progress.

Bwala criticized Obi over remarks credited to him that he would no longer remove the fuel subsidy.

Posting on X, Bwala also made reference to comments attributed to Obi that he would not set up state police if he became Nigeria’s president.

He wrote: “I don’t know why every time Nigeria makes progress, it angers Peter Obi @PeterObi. Why?

“It is the same Nigeria he is trying to govern in his wild goose chase. It might be true to say that the only person he pays attention to is the madman on Opi-iweka road.

“Before the 2023 elections, he promised to take away the subsidy; we did, and now he is saying he won’t. He said he would make state police; we did, but now he’s saying he won’t.

“He said he would bring all the foreign exchange together; we did, and now he is saying he won’t. It looks like he doesn’t have a clear idea of what he intends to do for Nigeria.”

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Tunji Alausa, minister of education, has queried Ikechukwu Dozie, vice-chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) in Imo state, over the alleged irregular appointment of 24 aides in his office.

In a memo dated June 25, 2026, and signed by Kareem O.L, acting director of university education at the federal ministry of education on behalf of the minister, Alausa faulted the appointments and directed the
vice-chancellor to reverse them “forthwith” and provide evidence of compliance without delay.

According to the correspondence seen by TheCable on Thursday, the minister described the appointments as irregular and inconsistent with regulations governing federal universities in Nigeria.

“The attention of the Honourable Minister of Education has been drawn to your Memorandum Ref. No. FUT/REG/CR/CIR/4 dated 22 June 2026
(copy attached) concerning the appointment of twenty-four (24) aides in various capacities within the Office of the Vice-Chancellor,” the memo reads.

Alausa said the directive followed the ministry’s review of an internal university memorandum dated June 22, 2026, through which the appointments were reportedly made.

The minister observed that the appointments were “at variance with the extant regulations, established procedures, and the principles of due process governing appointments within the Federal University System.”

A copy of the communication was also forwarded to the National Universities Commission (NUC).

“Furthermore, I am directed to invite you to the Ministry on Monday, 29 June 2026, for further engagement on this matter and other related issues touching on institutional governance, administrative accountability, due process, and strict adherence to the regulatory framework governing the administration of Federal Universities in Nigeria,” the document added.

“The Ministry remains committed to promoting transparency, prudence, and best practices in the management of our tertiary institutions and trusts that this matter will receive your prompt attention and cooperation.”

Dozie, a professor of medical microbiology and parasitology,
assumed office on June 19 as the ninth VC of FUTO, taking over from Nnenna Oti, ⁰who concluded her five-year tenure.

He is the immediate past vice-chancellor of Kingsley Ozumba
Mbadiwe University (KOMU) Ideato north, Imo state.

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No fewer than eight people have d!ed, and 26 others have been rescued from the three-storey building that collapsed in the Alakija area of Lagos State today, June 25.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency confirmed the latest casualty figures in a statement issued by its Permanent Secretary, Dr. Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu.

According to him, the building, located on Old Ojo Road by Alakija Bus Stop, off the Lagos-Badagry Expressway in Satellite Town, collapsed at about 11:37 a.m., prompting a large-scale emergency response involving multiple agencies.

Providing an update on the rescue operation, Oke-Osanyintolu said

“As of 4:20 p.m., a total of 26 persons have been rescued alive, while eight fatalities have been recorded, including a baby girl. Search and rescue operations remain ongoing. Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.”

The Kwara State Government has expressed concern about the rising number of unidentified commercial motorcycle operators entering the state, warning that the trend could heighten security risks in vulnerable communities.

Speaking at an emergency security stakeholders’ meeting in Ilorin on Thursday, Commissioner for Transportation, Aliyu Korasabi, urged transport union leaders to support the ongoing residents’ registration exercise.

“We are witnessing an increasing influx of unidentified motorcycle operators into Kwara at a time when some communities are grappling with security challenges. This development requires urgent attention from all stakeholders,” Korasabi said.

He explained that registering motorcycle and tricycle operators would provide credible data to help security agencies distinguish genuine transport workers from criminal elements posing as riders.

Korasabi stressed that security should not be left solely to law enforcement agencies, noting that it is a collective responsibility requiring decisive action.

He commended transport unions for their cooperation and urged them to continue supporting government efforts to strengthen safety across the state.

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Operatives of the Ogun State Police Command have arreste three suspects connected to the killing of retired OGTV broadcaster, Kitan Oyesiku, popularly known as Aunty Kitan.

Oyesiku was murdered in cold blood alongside her 38-year-old security guard, Pelumi Adetayo, at her residence in the Kobape area of Abeokuta last Saturday.

The Ogun police spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, disclosed that the corpse of the security guard was discovered within the security post, while the lifeless body of Oyesiku was found face up inside her apartment.

He stated that her vehicle, which was also discovered missing, was eventually recovered in the state.

Barely five days after her death, the police have announced the arrest of the suspects – Sodeinde Olajuwon Phillip, 22, Sakirudeen Abdulraheem Ayoola, 27, and Sobu Obafunsho, 36.

Sodeinde, the principal suspect, who was a former security guard to the deceased, was said to have recruited the others to join him in carrying out the heinous crime.

The Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, while parading the suspects at the command’s headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta, on Thursday, stated that in the course of investigation it was discovered that Sodeinde have always contacted the deceased, demanding for money even when he was no longer worked for her.

The CP disclosed that the missing vehicle was recovered close to Sodeinde’s residence and he was arrested at a construction site in GRA Ibara where he worked as a labourer.

The police chief stated that on interrogation, Sodeinde confessed to killing the deceased just to “teach her a lesson”, adding that the attack following grievances he has been holding against with the deceased during the period he worked as a security guard in her employment.

The CP said, “The Command launched intensive investigation, intelligence gathering, and technical tracking operations aimed at identifying
those responsible and recovering the missing vehicle.

“Acting on credible intelligence and technical tracking. analysis, operatives of the Command successfully traced and recovered the missing Lexus RX 330 vehicle belonging to the deceased on 22nd June, 2026.
Although the ignition key had been removed and the registration number plates detached from the vehicle, detectives recovered the vehicle’s registration plate concealed underneath one of the seats, which enabled investigators to positively identify and confirm the vehicle as the property of Madam Olakitan Oyesiku.

“One critical piece of evidence recovered from the scene was a handwritten note apparently left behind by the perpetrators. The note was subjected to forensic examination and analysis, which generated valuable investigative leads that significantly aided detectives in identifying and tracing those responsible for the crime.

“Further intelligence gathering and painstaking investigation led to the identification and arrest of the principal suspect, Sodeinde Olajuwon Philip ‘m’ aged 22 years, on 24th June, 2026, at a
construction site in Ibara GRA, Abeokuta, where he was working as a labourer.

“Further follow-up operations by detectives of the Command led to the successful arrest of Sakirudeen Abdulraheem Ayoola ‘m’ aged 27
years, a security guard, and Sobu Obafunsho ‘m’ aged 36 years, a bricklayer, thereby bringing into custody all identified suspects directly linked to the criminal conspiracy.

“The suspect stated that the murder of Madam Olakitan Oyesiku was intended to teach her a lesson.”

According to the commissioner, the suspects first overpowered the security guard, used him to gain access to the residence and upon gaining entry, they attacked Oyesiku and subsequently murdered the security guard.

Items recovered after searches at locations linked to the suspects include a broken hammer, a cutlass, a plank, a black pen and other relevant exhibits connected to the investigation.

The CP emphasized that while the suspects have made useful statements and substantial evidence has been recovered in the course of the investigation, all suspects remain entitled to due process under the law.

He noted that investigation is ongoing to consolidate all available evidence and ensure diligent prosecution of all suspects connected with the crime.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Ogun State Council, Wale Olarewaju, thanked the CP for unraveling circumstances surrounding the broadcaster’s death.

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