25 die in Kano crash
A road accident in Kano, Kano State has resulted in the deaths of 25 passengers and injuries to several others. The passengers were travelling from Maiduguri to the southern part of the country, loaded in a trailer alongside cows. The trailer collided with another vehicle and somersaulted several times.
The Federal Road Safety Corps Sector Commander, Ibrahim Abdullahi, confirmed the accident, stating that it occurred due to excessive speed, dangerous driving, and overloading. During the rescue operation, items recovered included six motorcycles, ten mobile phones, animals, maize, and N400,000 cash. All the recovered items were handed over to the police. Abdullahi warned motorists against transporting animals and goods alongside humans.
Rivers announces date for LGA elections
The Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission has announced the date and guidelines for local government elections on October 5. The announcement follows Governor Sim Fubara's dissolution of former councils after their tenure expired. Caretaker committees have been inaugurated to manage local government affairs. To prevent violent clashes, the police have taken over all 23 secretariats of local government areas in the state. The decision was made to prevent further bloodshed after a policeman and vigilante member were shot dead during a protest in Omuma LGA. The commission's announcement marks the beginning of preparations for the elections after the dissolution of former councils.
Many injured, installations damaged as explosion rocks Zungeru Hydro-Electric Dam
An explosion at the Zungeru Hydro-Electric Power Dam caused injuries to a Chinese engineer, security personnel, and several workers, and destroyed some installations.
The cause of the explosion, which occurred on the morning of Monday, July 1, is currently unknown as there have been no official reports about the incident.
The Chinese engineer was conducting a routine check when the explosion happened, and those injured were taken to the Minna General Hospital.
Rivers vows to probe vandalism of govt’s plants
The Rivers state government has pledged to investigate the vandalism of the Scrap to Wealth Plant in Kira, Tai, and the Waste to Wealth facilities in Iriebi, Obio-Akpor. The state's commissioner for environment, Tambari Sydney Gbara, visited the plant and Waste to Wealth facilities to ensure the economic sustainability of the state. He accused those responsible of complicity in the theft of 95% of vital parts of the plant. The commissioner advised the youths, particularly those from Kira, to shun vandalism, stealing, and violence and to cooperate with the government in protecting their areas. He commended the people of Iriebe and Rumukrushi, who host the Waste to Wealth plant, for protecting the facility from vandalism and assured them that they would be the greatest beneficiaries of the plant when it resumed production. The commissioner urged the people of Iriebe and Rumukrushi and the entire youth of Rivers State to have faith in and support the current government.