Over 20 Feared Dead In Three Different Shipwrecks Off Italy

Published

2 years ago

April 24, 2023

Editor

More than 20 people are feared drowned in three different shipwrecks within 24 hours, Italy’s coastguard said Monday, as good weather prompted fresh attempts at the perilous sea crossing from Africa.

Survivors from one boat that went down in Malta’s search and rescue area told officials about 20 people on board were missing, a coastguard statement said.

Three people had been reported missing earlier after another shipwreck in Italian waters about 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the island of Lampedusa.

A body was later recovered from a third boat that sank in Malta’s waters.

All three boats were intercepted by Italian authorities Sunday night and Monday, when 1,200 people were rescued and brought to Lampedusa, the coastguard said.

“During last night and up until now, 35 boats have been rescued from the Tunisian route alone,” it said, adding that around 20 more vessels remained at sea.

– Stabilise Tunisia –
Tunisia, with a coastline less than 150 kilometres (90 miles) from Lampedusa, is a favoured stepping stone for migrants attempting the Mediterranean crossing.

The flow of African migrants has intensified since President Kais Saied made a fiery speech on February 21 claiming illegal immigration was a demographic threat to Tunisia.

The North African country is in the grip of a long, worsening economic crisis that has pushed many of its citizens to take desperate measures in search of better lives abroad.

Chiara Cardoletti, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) representative for Italy, had confirmed the numbers missing at sea, offering condolences to their families.

On Twitter, she called for urgent action to “stabilise the situation in Tunisia, to reduce the reasons that drive so many people to risk their lives at sea”.

Survivors of the shipwreck in which 20 people were feared drowned said six minors had been aboard their seven-metre-long boat, which was rescued by a fishing vessel, the Repubblica daily reported.

Those saved hailed from Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Guinea, the Ivory Coast and Sudan, and had paid between 500 and 600 euros ($650) for the crossing, the Stampa daily said.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s new hard-right government took office in October promising to stop the boat landings.

But the numbers of people crossing the central Mediterranean have soared in recent months.

Over 36,000 people have arrived by sea in Italy this year, compared to some 9,000 in the same period last year, according to the Italian interior ministry.

Lampedusa is the first landing point for many new arrivals, but its migrant centre, built for under 400 people, is regularly overwhelmed.

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has recorded 537 deaths or disappearances in the central Mediterranean — the world’s most dangerous crossing — so far this year.

JUST IN: Senate Confirms Amupitan As INEC Chairman

Published

29 minutes ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The Senate has confirmed Professor Joash Amupitan as the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The Red Chamber confirmed Amupitan after a voice vote conducted by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and after undergoing screening and answering questions posed by the lawmakers.

Amupitan had earlier arrived at the National Assembly complex earlier, exchanged pleasantries with Senators.

He was accompanied to the chamber by the Governor of Kogi State, Ahmed Ododo, and other dignitaries.

At about 12:50 p.m., the nominee was ushered into the Senate chamber by the Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Abubakar Lado, and was already seated ahead of the commencement of the exercise.

Amupitan was allowed into the hallowed chamber after the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central), moved that Order 12 be set aside to allow visitors into the chamber, and he was seconded by the Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South).

Senate President Godswill Akpabio welcomed Amupitan, his family members, and well-wishers to the Red Chamber, commending them for their presence.

Before introducing himself to the Senators for the question and answer session to take off, Akpabio disclosed to his colleagues that the nominee had been cleared by the office of the National Security Adviser after vetting.

According to Akpabio, the office of the Department of State Services had also cleared him.

The Senate President also said that the Office of the Inspector-General of Police, having done a fingerprint search on him, cleared him and said that he had no criminal records with the police.

The screening exercise commenced at about 12:55 p.m. following Akpabio’s opening remarks, during which he outlined the procedures to be followed by the lawmakers in considering the nominee’s credentials.

The screening session focused on Amupitan’s vision for credible elections, his plans for institutional reforms within INEC, and measures to deepen the use of technology in Nigeria’s electoral process.

Following his confirmation by the Senate, Amupitan will oversee preparations for upcoming off-cycle governorship elections and lay the groundwork for the 2027 general elections.

President Bola Tinubu had nominated Amupitan, a Professor of Law from the University of Jos, to succeed Prof. Mahmood Yakubu.

The President’s letter conveying Amupitan’s nomination was read on the floor of the Senate by Akpabio during plenary on Tuesday.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Jos, Amupitan, is widely regarded for his expertise in constitutional and international law.

News

IPF Commends Tompolo’s Commitment To Security In Delta, Nigeria

Published

4 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

Ijaw Publishers’ Forum (IPF) has commended High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, for his remarkable commitment to improving security in Delta State, Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.

In a press statement by its national president, Comrade Ozobo Austin, the IPF described Tompolo’s gesture towards Delta Security Trust Fund as a demonstration of his firm commitment to promoting peace, security, and progress in the atate, Niger Delta and Nigeria.

The group’s leadership lauded Tompolo’s philanthropic efforts, which according to them, portrayed his dedication to the well-being and prosperity of the country.

Recall that Tompolo promised continued support for the Delta State Security Trust Fund after making a handsome donation at the event held at the government house yesterday.

“The unprecedented donation and firm commitment to peace and security in the country by High Chief Tompolo are shining examples of his leadership and dedication to the development of Delta State, Niger Delta and Nigeria as a whole.

“We commend him for his vision and generosity, and we urge others to follow his footsteps in supporting initiatives that promote peace and security in Delta State and Niger Delta region.

“High Chief Tompolo’s support will go a long way in enhancing security measures in Delta state and contributing meaningfully to the overall development of the country,” the statement reads.

News

University Suspends Students’ Union Over Controversial ‘Gender Swap Day’

Published

7 hours ago

October 16, 2025

Editor

The management of Taraba State University (TSU), Jalingo, has suspended the Students’ Union Government (SUG) indefinitely following allegations of misconduct during the recently concluded 2025 Students’ Week celebration.

The decision came after photos and videos from the event’s controversial “Gender Swap Day” surfaced online, sparking outrage from members of the university community and the general public. The university said the activities violated its values, dress code, and moral standards.

In a statement signed by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Sunday Paul Bako, on Tuesday, October 14, 2025, the management described the incident as “regrettable and disappointing,” noting that some students’ actions were inconsistent with the institution’s core principles.

An emergency management meeting held on Monday, October 13 reviewed the incidents and blamed poor supervision and coordination by the current SUG leadership for the disorder that occurred during the week-long celebration.

As part of the resolutions reached, the SUG has been suspended indefinitely to pave the way for a complete restructuring of student leadership and representation. The university also announced plans to introduce a new framework promoting accountability, discipline, and inclusiveness among student leaders.

“Students who were involved in actions that misrepresented the university’s image will face disciplinary action,” the statement read.

“Those whose behavior involved criminal acts have been arrested and will be handed over to law enforcement for further investigation.”

In response, the SUG led by Victor Mishak Abednego, tendered an official apology to the university management, expressing regret over the embarrassment caused by the event and promising stricter adherence to university rules in future activities.

The university reaffirmed its commitment to academic excellence and moral integrity, warning that such conduct will not be tolerated in any future student-organized events.