The Executive Secretary of Zamfara State Emergency Management Agency, Bala Ahmad on Friday, confirmed the collapse of mining pits trapping several artisanal miners.
The tragic event occurred in the Kadauri community, Maru Local Government Area of the state.
Ahmad, who gave the confirmation to the News Agency of Nigeria in Gusau on Friday, however, did not give further information on the incident which occurred on Thursday night.
The ES said that he was in a meeting with stakeholders, assuring to give further details on the incident in due course.
Local community leaders, however, told NAN via telephone that many artisanal miners were trapped following the collapse of mining pits.
They said that the mining pits collapsed after several hours of rain in the area.
The locals said that the number of casualties and those still trapped in the mining pits was not yet known.
They, however, said those who sustained injuries were being treated at the Maru General Hospital.
The locals said they were battling alongside officers of the state to rescue survivors still trapped in the collapse pits.
PUNCH Online had reported that a tragic mining accident occurred in the Dura community, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, where four miners lost their lives after a mining site collapsed.
According to eyewitnesses, the incident happened on Thursday night when the ground collapsed on four individuals working in the pit. (Punch)
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has formally presented the staff and certificate of office to Oba Rashidi Ladoja, officially confirming him as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The presentation took place at exactly 3:05 p.m. on Friday during a colourful and historic coronation ceremony held at Mapo Hall, Ibadan.
The coronation, held at Mapo Hall, was attended by notable dignitaries, including President Bola Tinubu, further highlighting the cultural and political importance of the event.
Makinde’s formal presentation of the staff and certificate of office marks the final step in legitimising Ladoja’s ascension to the throne, symbolising both tradition and continuity in Ibadan’s monarchy.
This coronation is especially notable as it brings a former state governor into a revered royal role, merging political experience with traditional leadership at a time when community influence and governance are increasingly intertwined.
Makinde, while speaking, said, “This is a momentous occasion in the presence of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in the presence of people, and in the presence of God.
“In exercise of the power conferred on me as the Governor, I hereby present the staff of office to Oba, His Imperial Majesty, Senator, Governor, Engineer, my Baba, His Imperial Majesty, Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa 1st.
“This is in confirmation as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland. I am so present.” (Punch)
President Bola Tinubu has described Nigeria’s traditional institutions as sacred custodians of history and vital pillars of national unity.
Speaking on Friday at the coronation of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, Arusa I, as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland, the President said the role of monarchs goes beyond cultural symbolism.
He stressed that they embody the resilience of the people and serve as a bridge between heritage and the future.
“Our traditional institutions are the sacred custodians of our varied history and play a crucial role in social cohesion. They embody the resilience of our people and stand as a bridge between our proud heritage and the promise of our shared future,” Tinubu said in a post via his official X handle.
He congratulated Oba Ladoja on his historic ascension to the throne of his forefathers, describing it as a reward for perseverance, resilience, and service to community.
“I congratulate Kabiyesi on this historic ascension to the throne and pray for his reign to be long, prosperous, and impactful,” the President added.
Tinubu also linked the occasion to his administration’s broader vision, assuring Nigerians that despite the difficulties of ongoing reforms, the country is on the path to stability.
“As we honour our traditions, we also reaffirm our commitment to building a stronger economy and a more secure, united, and hopeful Nigeria. The journey of reform has not been without its tests, but together we have turned the corner, and there is indeed light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.
The President prayed that Oba Ladoja’s reign would bring peace, progress, and pride to Ibadanland, Oyo State, and Nigeria as a whole. (Punch)
Tributes poured in on Thursday as the Benue State House of Assembly held a valedictory session in honour of former Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, who died on August 9, 2025, at the age of 78.
Governor Hyacinth Alia, represented by his deputy, Sam Ode, described Ogbeh as a statesman whose legacy embodied dedication, vision, and integrity.
He said, “Our father left a heritage. He demonstrated leadership quality, in fairness and served the people justly. From 2001 to 2005, Ogbeh was national chairman of PDP.
He was a workaholic and playwright, who carried the name of Benue with pride. He was an embodiment of integrity and an ambassador of the state, shining through his actions.”
Benue Assembly Speaker, Alfred Emberga, hailed Ogbeh as a selfless leader and brilliant legislator whose motions as a lawmaker consistently focused on the welfare and development of his constituents and the state at large.
Emberga said, “Chief Ogbeh demonstrated brilliance in service to his people and Nigeria. From his records as a member of the House, all his motions centred on the welfare and development of his people and the entire state. Our senior member was a very vocal and effective legislator who endeared himself to his constituents with activism. He served his people selflessly, and it behoves us to emulate him, having left an enduring legacy.”
Ogbeh’s political journey began in the Second Republic, when he represented Otukpa State Constituency of Ogbadibo Local Government Area between 1979 and 1982 and served as deputy speaker of the Benue State Assembly under the National Party of Nigeria.
He later rose to national prominence, becoming the chairman of the People’s Democratic Party from 2001 to 2005.
In later years, he became a chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress and served as Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The valedictory session was attended by dignitaries, including a former deputy governor of the state, Steven Lawani, and several ex-lawmakers.
Representatives of the three senatorial districts — Cephas Dyakor, Jabi Sooke, and Samuel Agada — also paid glowing tributes, acknowledging Ogbeh’s immense contributions to legislative activities in the state and his enduring influence on upcoming legislators. (Punch)
Business mogul and chairman of the Ibru Organisation, Olorogun Oskar Ibru, has died at the age of 67.
According to a statement by his family, reported by Arise News on Wednesday, Ibru passed away after a brief illness.
Further details on the circumstances of his death were not disclosed.
A key figure in Nigeria’s corporate world, Ibru was one of the most prominent heirs of the Ibru dynasty.
He was instrumental in sustaining and expanding the conglomerate established by his late father, Olorogun Michael Ibru, whose business empire covered shipping, oil and gas, real estate, and commerce.
His passing comes less than a decade after the death of the family patriarch, Michael Ibru, in 2016.
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced soon.
Reacting to the news on Wednesday, media entrepreneur and publisher of Ovation International, Dele Momodu, described Ibru as “an extremely friendly gentleman and a socialite per excellence.”
In a post on his Instagram page, Momodu wrote, “News has just reached me in the skies that one of Nigeria’s most recognisable businessmen, OLORUNGUN OSKAR IBRU, has passed on… He was an extremely friendly gentleman, and a socialite per excellence, who was loved so passionately by families and friends… He was the son of the business Titan, OLOROGUN MICHAEL IBRU… Rest in peace, dear Brother…” (Punch)
No fewer than 1,000 Christian pilgrims on Wednesday departed Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri, Imo, for a Holy Pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan.
President Bola Tinubu, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, flagged off the Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission’s 2025 delayed Easter pilgrimage.
Tinubu, who described pilgrimage as “a spiritual journey of faith”, cautioned the travellers against absconding.
The president further described it as a “platform for moral transformation and spiritual rebirth.”
While noting that prayer remained a sustaining force for Nigeria, he reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to promoting religious harmony in the country.
Tinubu said: “I, therefore, urge you to ensure you return with your batch at the end of your pilgrimage so that you can join forces with the government to build an egalitarian society where no man is oppressed.
“It is equally germane to reiterate that NCPC, under the leadership of Bishop Stephen Adegbite, has put all mechanisms in place to check abscondment.
“It will interest you to know that the Commission, in all its pilgrimages from December last year to date, has been able to achieve almost zero abscondment, so be warned,” he stressed.
Tinubu emphasised that the theme of the exercise, “Pilgrimage of Renewed Hope for Total Restoration,” aligned with his administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which sought to improve the quality of life of all Nigerians.
He acknowledged that some governments’ policies had been tough on citizens, but assured Nigerians that “there will certainly be light at the end of the dark tunnel.”
Tinubu said his achievements in youth empowerment, infrastructure, education, and security, as well as the reductions in insurgency, kidnapping, and banditry, could be traced to the resolve to restore peace in troubled areas.
The President also lauded Governor Hope Uzodimma’s spiritual commitment and sponsorship of 1,000 Christian pilgrims this year, just as he did in 2023.
In a remark, Uzodimma thanked the President for taking a keen interest in the physical and spiritual well-being of the Nigerian citizens and for his commitment to a better country.
The governor admonished the pilgrims to see the exercise as an opportunity to seek the face of God, pray for the state and the country.
“We will work against any abuse. As you journey to the Holy lands, carry Nigeria in your heart, pray for peace, prosperity, unity, and the President for additional wisdom and guidance,” he said.
Also speaking, Gov. Alex Otti of Abia, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr Caleb Ajagba, urged the pilgrims not to see the trip as a mere tourist exercise.
Otti encouraged them to ask themselves the question of why they wanted to go on pilgrimage rather than see it as any other journey.
Earlier, Adegbite thanked Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, First Lady, Sen. Remi Tinubu, Uzodimma and Akume for their commitment towards the spiritual upliftment of the Nigerian citizens.
He commended Uzodimma for sponsoring the pilgrims, describing him as “a wonderful governor, leader par excellence, great man by all standards, beacon of hope for Imo, Pilgrimage and Nigeria.”
The NCPC boss also joined in urging the pilgrims to see the trip as purely a spiritual one and apply themselves accordingly.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that prayers were offered for the body of Christ, peace in Nigeria and the Middle East, a successful pilgrimage, and for the president, the governors, and Nigerian leaders. (Punch)
A former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Joy Nunieh, has praised President Bola Tinubu for recognising the Ogoni 13, describing it as a long-overdue step toward justice and reconciliation in the Niger Delta.
PUNCH Online reports that Tinubu has conferred national honours on four additional slain Ogoni leaders, sometimes referred to as the Ogoni 4, bringing the total honoured to Ogoni 13.
Speaking on Arise TV on Thursday, Nunieh recalled that while the Federal Government previously honoured the Ogoni 9 executed under the Abacha regime, the four others, making up the Ogoni 13, were left out.
“Yes, it is. We have called for this for a very long time that the Ogoni 13 should be honoured and when the Ogoni 9 were honoured we were happy, but of course it was incomplete without the Ogoni 4,” she said.
She expressed gratitude that the recognition has finally come, calling it a sign of good governance.
“Yes, it is. We have called for this for a very long time that the Ogoni 13 should be honoured and when the Ogoni 9 were honoured we were happy but of course it was incomplete without the Ogoni 4 and so today we’re very grateful that the Ogoni 13 have been honoured.”
Nunieh, however, urged the Federal Government to go further by issuing a national apology, similar to what she said Australia did for its aboriginal population.
“And of course we asked for a national apology like it’s been done in Australia. President Rudd did that apologising to the aborigines there and so that’s what we’re asking for but today is the first step and we now see that President Tinubu has shown good governance by taking this bold step which nobody had ever done since the crisis and we’re eternally grateful for that,” she said.
The execution of the Ogoni 9, including environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa, in November 1995 drew global condemnation and remains one of Nigeria’s darkest chapters.
PUNCH Online reports that earlier in June 2025, President Tinubu granted posthumous national honours and a full presidential pardon to Ken Saro-Wiwa and the other members of the Ogoni 9, nearly 30 years after their execution. (Punch)
Two communities in Ekiti State, Ise Ekiti in Ise/Orun Local Government Area and Ijesa Isu in Ikole Local Government Area, have called on Governor Biodun Oyebanji to fulfil promises made to them.
For Ise Ekiti, the demand centres on the construction of a world-class Olowe Museum in honour of the late master carver, Olowe of Ise.
Meanwhile, residents of Ijesa Isu are pressing for the rehabilitation of the Iluomoba–Ijesa Isu–Ikole Road.
In a letter made available to PUNCH Online on Wednesday, and signed by its National Secretary, Patrick Abayomi, the Ten O’s Club of Ise Ekiti urged the governor to implement the museum project.
According to the letter dated September 18, 2025, he said that the museum was part of the governor’s effort “to preserve the legacies of internationally renowned carver popularly called Olowe of Ise Ekiti”.
Abayomi added, “It is of our collective appeal to Your Excellency to please, fulfil the promise made to Ise people on the ultra-modern Museum which will contribute largely to the development of the town, educate the people historically and bring revenue by visitors who shall be visiting on tourism purposes.
“It is our urgent appeal that Your Excellency listen to our demand for the implementation (kick off) of the awarded contract. We strongly believe that the second tenure of the governor will make the completion of the Museum.
“Your administration has been a tremendous one ever since you assumed office as the governor of Ekiti State, and your act of governance can never be underestimated. Furthermore, we appreciate Your Excellency on the construction of the drainage channel across waterways in the town and other projects.”
Olowe, an Ise Ekiti-based sculptor, whose works litter several museums in America and Europe, died in 1934.
Recall that Oyebanji, in 2023, announced plans by his administration to build a world-class museum in Ise Ekiti to preserve the late sculptor’s legacy, saying his government would collaborate with the Ise Ekiti community and other stakeholders in turning Olowe’s residence into an internationally recognised centre of attraction.
Also speaking during a chat with journalists at Ijesa Isu on Wednesday, the Regent of the community, Princess Omobolaji Adeniyi, appealed to the governor to hasten the fulfilment of his promise to rehabilitate the road.
She said, “The state government has assured us that reconstruction work will soon commence on the road. I can assure my people that our governor is a talk-and-do governor. He has assured us that he would do something about the road, so we are really hoping that, soon, something will be done in that direction.
“This is an agrarian community, our farmers need to transport their goods from here to other neighbouring towns and transit to and from this community with ease. We are really hoping that the government will come to our aid soon. I am hoping that the road will be done very soon.”
Governor Oyebanji, who recently restated his administration’s commitment to road development, highlighted several completed projects, including the Ekiti Ring Road, Isinbode–Ara–Ikole, Itapa–Ijelu, Ikogosi–Igbara Odo, Ikere–Igbara Odo, Ikere–Ilawe, and Ikere–Ise roads.
He also disclosed that more than 132 kilometres of rural roads were being built under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project in partnership with the World Bank. (Punch)
The Lagos State Police Command has arrested six yet-to-be-identified men for allegedly abducting their business partner in the Lekki area of the state.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the victim, identified by his nickname Senator, was kidnapped and held for three days following a business dispute.
A police source who spoke to our correspondent on Sunday said the arrest was made on Friday morning.
According to the source, a complaint was lodged by the family of the victim over his whereabouts, leading to a search by the police.
The source said, “The victim’s family reported the case of a missing person at the police station. He was said to have stepped out on Tuesday but did not return home. This made the police launch a search for his whereabouts. It was in the process that he was traced through his phone to an apartment in Lekki. A team of detectives was mobilised to the location where he victim was found.”
Another source who was aware of the development but pleaded anonymity told our correspondent on Sunday that the men subjected the victim to maltreatment during his stay in their captivity.
“His phone was seized, and money was withdrawn from his bank account. During interrogation, we discovered that they had transacted some business together, and the outcome of the business did not favour the suspects. Out of frustration, they decided to abduct him as a way of recovering their money,” the source added.
Although the nature of the business was not disclosed, the source, who is also a police officer, said the investigation was ongoing, adding that the suspects would be charged after interrogation.
In a video seen by PUNCH Metro, the suspects were seen being handcuffed after they were rounded up by the detectives.
When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, said she was not aware of the incident.
“I will contact the police division in the area to find out and get back to you,” she added. She had yet to revert to PUNCH Metro as of the time of filing this report
Kidnap-for-ransom cases have been on the rise in the country over the years. Security experts, however, warned that some disputes among business partners now escalate into criminal abductions.
PUNCH Metro reported in August that a 32-year-old painter, Chigozie Clement, was arrested by operatives of the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly abducting his customer’s seven-year-old son in the Ketu Alapere area of the state.
The suspect allegedly lured the child away from his home and later contacted the victim’s mother to demand a ransom of N7m for the boy’s release.
Detectives later trailed the painter to the Ijegun area of the state, where he was arrested, while the boy was rescued in the process. (Punch)
A video circulating on social media on Tuesday captured a jubilant crowd of supporters accompanying Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan back to the National Assembly as she resumed her legislative duties following months of suspension.
In the footage, the Kogi Central lawmaker was seen walking surrounded by cheering supporters. A man was also heard offering prayers for her, to which she responded, “Amen.”
PUNCH Online reports that Akpoti-Uduaghan resumed her duties shortly after regaining access to her office in Suite 2.05 of the Senate Wing, which was unsealed by the Deputy Director of the National Assembly Sergeant-at-Arms, Alabi Adedeji.
Upon resumption, the senator, who had been suspended, remained resolute, stating she had “no apology to tender.”
She said, “In retrospect, it is actually amazing how much we have had to pay in the past six months, from the unjust suspension to the recall. But we survived the recall, blackmail, and that crazy lady on Facebook.
“It is amazing what we had to endure, and I give God Almighty the glory and my deepest appreciation to the people of Kogi Central and Nigerians at large. To my husband, I love you dearly. I pray all men support their wives in the same manner you have supported me.
“In everything, sometimes it is good to push the institution to the test. We cannot cower in the face of injustice. No one is more Nigerian than us. Senator Akpabio is not more of a senator than I am. He is not the governor of this place…
“It is so unfortunate that we will have a National Assembly run by such a dictator. It is totally unacceptable.”
The video of her return has been widely shared on social media, with commenters praising her resilience and the warm welcome from her supporters. (Punch)
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