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Journalist Detained After Exposing Rot In State Hospital

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A journalist in Kebbi State has been detained after releasing a video exposing poor conditions at a government hospital, sparking outrage among activists and renewed calls for press freedom.

The journalist, identified as Hassan Mai-Waya Kangiwa, was reportedly arrested on the orders of the state government following the circulation of the footage filmed at Kangiwa General Hospital.

The video, which went viral on social media, showed an elderly patient lying on a bare metal bed frame without a mattress.

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The footage triggered widespread criticism, with many accusing state officials of targeting the messenger instead of addressing what they described as rot in the healthcare system.

READ ALSO:Syrian Ex-leader Assad Faces War Crime Charges For Killing Journalists

Opposition activist Omoyele Sowore condemned the arrest, describing it as an act of “tyranny.” He accused the state government of suppressing free speech, saying: “A fake comrade who detains journalists for exposing government failures should not be tolerated.”

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The Take It Back Movement, a pro-democracy group, also criticised the detention, demanding Kangiwa’s immediate release.

In a statement, the group said: “This is sheer tyranny. Instead of fixing hospitals, Kebbi authorities are arresting journalists.”

READ ALSO:Israeli Strike Kills Al Jazeera Journalist In Gaza

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On social media, the hashtag #FreeHassanKangiwaNow trended as Nigerians reshared the video and condemned the state government’s action. One user wrote: “Rather than fixing the hospital, you arrest the journalist exposing the truth.”

As of Wednesday, neither the state government nor the police in Birnin Kebbi had issued an official statement regarding Kangiwa’s arrest or possible charges.

Rights groups have since been tagged in online campaigns calling for Kangiwa’s release.

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Metro

31 Die In Niger Fuel Tanker Explosion

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At least 31 people died and several others were injured while scooping fuel from a petrol tanker conveying Premium Motor Spirit, which exploded along the Bida-Agaie highway in Niger State on Tuesday.

According to a statement signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, the accident occurred around 2:40 pm near Essa Village via Katcha.

“There was a lone tanker vehicle accident along the Bida/Agaie highway, and as a result, the tanker conveying PMS fell by the roadside,” he said.

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Abiodun added that residents rushed to the scene to scoop fuel from the overturned tanker, at which point it was suddenly engulfed in an inferno.

READ ALSO:Explosions, Gunshots Rock Rivers TV, Radio Stations

Unfortunately, members of the public living around Essa village via Katcha rushed to the scene and were scooping PMS and in the process, the tanker suddenly engulfed in inferno.

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“Forty-eight persons were affected by the fire, and among these victims, thirty-one persons lost their lives while others are still receiving treatment in various nearby hospitals.

“Three motorcycles were also burnt,” the spokesperson said.

Abiodun said officers and other security agencies were deployed to the scene for rescue operations.

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READ ALSO:Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman

He said further investigations are ongoing to identify the driver and owner of the tanker involved.

“Teams of policemen and other security agencies were moved to the scene for a rescue operation. Further investigation is ongoing to identify the driver and the owner of the said tanker,” Abiodun concluded.

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Meanwhile, Federal Road Safety Corps told the News Agency of Nigeria that 35 persons are feared dead, while 46 others sustained varying degrees of injuries in the explosion.

The Niger FRSC Sector Commander, Aishatu Sa’adu said the injured victims were evacuated to the Federal Medical Centre, Bida, with the support of FRSC personnel, villagers, and some good Samaritans.

READ ALSO:Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman

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She also warned members of the public against scooping fuel from accident scenes, describing it as a dangerous act that had claimed many lives in the past.

“It is God that gives wealth. People should avoid greed and be content with what God has given them,” she added.

An eyewitness told NAN that the accident occurred around 11 a.m. on Tuesday at Essan/Badeggi communities along the Bida–Agaie road in Katcha Local Government Area.

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Teenager Arrested For Allegedly Removing Sister’s Eyes For Money Ritual

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The Bauchi State Police Command has arrested a 17-year-old boy, Auwalu Muhammad, for allegedly gouging out his sister’s eyes for a money ritual in Wailo, Ganjuwa Local Council of Bauchi State.

Police said the incident occurred on October 17, 2025, when Auwalu lured his sister, Rukayya Muhammad, into a bush and attacked her, removing both of her eyes in what he described as an attempt to acquire wealth.

The Command’s spokesperson, SP Ahmed Wakil, said the victim’s father reported the matter to the police after discovering the brutal act. He added that a medical specialist confirmed that Rukayya had lost her sight permanently.

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READ ALSO:PSC Reviews Disciplinary Cases, Reinstates Dismissed Police Officers

“During interrogation, the suspect voluntarily confessed to the crime. Investigation is ongoing to uncover the motive behind the act and to bring all individuals connected to justice,” Wakil said.

The police also arrested six others in connection with the incident. They were identified as Auwal Dahiru (17), Mohammed Rabiu (19), Saleh Ibrahim (20), Nasiru Muhammad, Hassan Garba, and Garba Dahiru (43), all residents of Ganjuwa Local Council.

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Bauchi: Auto Crash Claimed 432, Injured 2,070 Persons In 1 Months — FRSC

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The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) says no fewer than 432 persons had been killed while 2,070 persons were injured in auto crashes within one month across the country.

Shehu Mohammed, the Corps Marshal of FRSC stated this in Bauchi on Monday in a news conference to flag off the 2025 Ember Months public enlightenment and sensitisation campa on road safety.

According to him, the figure was as a result of 533 reported cases of auto crashes that took place between January 15, 2024 and January 15, 2025 in the country.

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Represented by Corps Commander Apaji Boyi, the Sector Commander, FRSC, Bauchi, Mohammed said that some of the major causes of those crashes were driver fatigue, overloading of persons, conveyance of persons in haulage vehicles and traveling with fuel in plastic containers.

READ ALSO:Bauchi Board Laments Low Teacher Turnouts In Training Exercise

While emphasising that driver behaviour was a fundamental element in determining safety on highways, said some road traffic infringements by drivers responsible for the previous road crash records included speed limit violations.

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“These infringements also include failure to adhere to road traffic rules and regulations, speed limit violations, driving under influence of alcohol and drugs, seat belt violations as well as using of phones while driving among others.

“Therefore, the choice of the 2025 end-of-year campaign with the theme ‘Taking Responsibility for Your Safety’ was deliberate and well thought out.

“It was carefully chosen to address road traffic infringements by drivers which were largely responsible for the previous road crash records.

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READ ALSO:Out-of-school: Bauchi Education Ministry Takes ‘Back To School’ Campaign To Markets

“In line with our commitment to achieve the desired outcome of the 2025 end of year campaign, FRSC has deployed personnel and Special Marshals across major highways and crash-prone corridors nationwide,” he said.

The Corps Marshal added that the corps would also be embarking on free-vehicle check exercise to improve vehicle road worthiness, conducting motor park rallies and motorcar carnivals nationwide to raise awareness level of motorists and the general public.

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Mohammed, who said that the Federal government’s support had been responsible for the modest achievement of the FRSC over the years, appreciated the government for its advisory oversight.

He called on all and sundry to continue to support the Corps as it strives to create a safer motoring environment for the nation.

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