Metro
Fresh Tragedy Hits Niger: Seven Dead, One Injured In Devastating Tanker Explosion

A tragic incident occurred in Karamin Rami village, Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State, on March 4, 2025, at approximately 6:30 p.m, when a fuel-laden tanker, struggling to manoeuvre through a bad road without a shoulder, lost balance and overturned, spilling its highly flammable Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) content into a nearby stream.
The stream, used by dry-season farmers for irrigation, became the epicentre of a catastrophic chain reaction when the spilt fuel came into contact with an operating water pump.
The pump ignited the fuel, leading to a fierce fire outbreak that swiftly travelled back to the tanker, causing a massive explosion.
Flames spread through the contaminated stream and engulfed the surrounding rice fields and fruit plantations.
READ ALSO: Many Feared Dead As Fuel Tanker Explosion Rocks Enugu
Unfortunately, several farmers working in their fields were caught in the inferno. By the time the fire was extinguished, seven lives had been lost, and one person was severely injured.
The deceased victims have been identified as: Rafiatu Sahabi, Ramlat Shehu, Rashida Abdullahi, Raliya Abdulrahman, Zainab Ahmed, Zuwaira Idrisu, and Maryam A. Nura.
Meanwhile, Maimuna Isah, the sole survivor, sustained injuries and is currently receiving treatment at Saho Rami Primary Health Care Center.
The Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba-Arah, confirmed the incident in an official statement. He attributed the tragedy to poor road conditions, which forced the tanker driver to manoeuvre dangerously, ultimately leading to the spill and explosion.
READ ALSO: JUST IN: Tanker Explosion Kills Many In Niger
Emergency responders and local authorities have since been deployed to assess the damage and provide necessary support to the affected families.
This unfortunate incident highlights the urgent need for road rehabilitation in rural communities and stricter safety measures for fuel transportation.
Authorities are expected to launch further investigations into the disaster while seeking ways to prevent future occurrences.
The development comes after a similar tanker explosion in January which left many dead, and several injured.
Metro
18-year-old OAU Medical Student Dies While Sleeping
The management of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Ile-Ife, has announced the death of an 18-year-old part-three medical student of the institution.
The student, identified as Timilehin Adetoye Toromade, was a student of the College of Health Sciences, Department of Medicine and Surgery.
According to a statement by the institution’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju, Timilehin with matriculation number CLI/2022/133, reportedly died in his sleep in the early hours of Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
The statement revealed that the “university received the news of the student’s passing with shock and deep sorrow”.
READ ALSO:OAU Student Electrocuted While Retrieving Ball
It also described the incident as devastating to the academic community.
According to the statement, “preliminary information suggested that the student might have died shortly after 2 a.m., as one of his roommates reportedly said the deceased opened the door for another student around that time.
“The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Adebayo Simeon Bamire, expressed condolences on behalf of the Visitor, the University Council, Management, Senate, staff and students”.
The VC, Professor Bamire, described the incident as a painful loss, saying, “The loss of a young life filled with promise, purpose, and potential is a tragedy that words alone cannot adequately capture.”
READ ALSO:No ID Cards, No Exams, OAU Students Ground Campus In Protest
He added that the university community was united in grief over the passing of a student who had embraced the rigours of medical training with the aim of serving humanity.
According to him, the death had left a void among the student’s peers and all those who knew him within the university community.
The university management stated that it was working closely with relevant authorities to fully understand the circumstances surrounding the incident, in line with established medical and administrative procedures.
It also disclosed that appropriate support measures were being put in place to assist students and members of the university community who may have been emotionally affected by the loss.
The management called on students, staff, alumni and friends of the institution to remain calm and compassionate, while extending sympathy to the family of the deceased.
Metro
Panic As BRT Bus Catches Fire On Third Mainland Bridge
Panic gripped motorists on Tuesday afternoon following a fire outbreak involving a Bus Rapid Transit, BRT, vehicle on the Third Mainland Bridge, leading to massive traffic disruption.
The incident occurred around 1:00 p.m. near the Adekunle section of the bridge, heading towards Iyana Oworo.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, confirmed the development in a statement posted on its official X handle.
According to the agency, the high-capacity BRT bus suddenly went up in flames, prompting anxiety among road users in the area.
READ ALSO:Police Detain Officers Over Alleged N3.3m Extortion From Lagos Couple
Footage shared online showed the bus completely consumed by fire, with thick plumes of smoke rising into the sky as motorists slowed down or sought alternative routes to avoid the scene.
While no injuries or loss of life were reported, the incident caused a heavy traffic buildup extending from Adekunle towards Iyana Oworo.
“A high-capacity bus is currently on fire on the Third Mainland Bridge by Adekunle, inward Iyana Oworo, and this is impacting traffic flow,” LASTMA stated.
“Our personnel are on ground managing traffic, while efforts are ongoing to extinguish the fire,” the agency added.
READ ALSO:Lagos Govt Begins Clearance Of Illegal Structures Along Lagos-Badagry Expressway
Subsequent updates indicated that officials of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service arrived at the scene and worked to control the blaze to prevent further damage.
Traffic officers were also deployed to redirect vehicles away from the affected area as emergency responders tackled the situation.
As of the time this report was filed, the cause of the fire had yet to be determined.
Metro
Kwara Vigilante Men Arrested By Soldiers In Edo State Released
Six Kwara State vigilante men arrested by the Nigerian Army on December 31,2025, along Auchi-Ikpeshi highway in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, have been released after a thorough investigation by the authorities.
Spokesperson of the state police command, SP Adetoun Ejire Adeyemi, confirmed the development in a statement in Ilorin on Tuesday.
The statement read in part; “The Kwara State Police Command wishes to confirm that on Wednesday, 31st December, 2025, it received six vigilante members who were earlier arrested by personnel of the Nigerian Army along the Auchi–Ikpeshi Road in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State.
READ ALSO:Edo: Suspected Kidnappers Kill Victim, Hold On To Elder Brother
“The Vigilantes, travelling in a vehicle belonging to Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State, were formally handed over to the Kwara State Police Command by the Brigade Commander, 22 Armoured Brigade, Sobi Barracks, Ilorin, Brigadier General N.N. Rume, for the purpose of investigation and profiling.
“Following a thorough investigation, it was established that the individuals are legitimate members of a vigilante group operating in collaboration with recognised security agencies in the ongoing efforts to combat banditry and other forms of criminality.
READ ALSO:Armed Robbers Shot PoS Operator To Death In Edo
“Consequently, having been exonerated of any criminal wrongdoing, the vigilante members were released to their respective leaders,” the statement added.
The Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Ojo Adekimi, reiterated the command’s commitment to synergy among security agencies and community-based security outfits, while urging all groups to continually operate within the confines of the law.
He assured members of the public that the command remains steadfast in its resolve to ensure the safety and security of all residents of the state.
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