The suspects were apprehended during coordinated operations carried out by the Niger State Command in the M.I. Wushishi/Lukoto axis on September 15 and 16, 2026, as part of efforts to tackle illegal mining activities in the state.

The investigation followed reports that at least 33 suspected illegal miners had died while being held at an NSCDC facility in Minna.

The deaths were reportedly discovered early Thursday, with the Niger State Commandant, Suberu Aniviye, initially linking them to a suspected disease outbreak.

However, the NSCDC National Headquarters said the exact cause of the deaths had not been established, stressing that claims linking the incident to a particular disease would require medical and laboratory confirmation.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Corps’ National Public Relations Officer, Babawale Afolabi, said the Commandant General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, had ordered a high-powered investigation into the incident.

Afolabi said the investigative team would be headed by the Deputy Commandant General in charge of Intelligence and Investigation and would examine the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The inquiry will cover the condition of the suspects when they were arrested, the duration of their detention, the conditions under which they were held and the medical care they received while in custody.

The statement said the team had been directed to conduct a comprehensive investigation and establish the facts surrounding the deaths.

Audi also directed the relevant authorities to give priority to the health and welfare of other persons still in NSCDC custody.

He further ordered measures to protect NSCDC personnel who may have come into contact with the affected detainees.

The Corps expressed sympathy to the families of those who died and assured them that the circumstances surrounding the incident would be thoroughly investigated.

The NSCDC also cautioned against speculation over the cause of the deaths, saying conclusions would only be made after the relevant medical examinations and laboratory tests had been completed.

Afolabi said, “The NSCDC wishes to clarify that reports attributing the deaths to any specific disease remain subject to medical and laboratory confirmation.”

He added that the Corps would refrain from making conclusions until the outcome of the medical examination was established.

The incident has drawn attention to the treatment and welfare of persons held in custody, with the ongoing investigation expected to establish what led to the deaths and whether any lapses occurred during the suspects’ arrest, detention or treatment.

The crash was attributed to an alleged brake failure suffered by the truck while approaching the exit of the bridge.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Agency disclosed the incident in a post on its official X handle on Tuesday, urging motorists on the route to exercise patience as recovery operations commenced.

According to the agency, the crash has resulted in traffic congestion extending as far as New Garage, with efforts ongoing to remove the damaged vehicles and other obstructions from the road.

The Post read, “A 40ft container laden truck reportedly had a brake failure and rammed into the demarcation blocks and other vehicles at the exit of Kara Bridge.”

The agency added that recovery and evacuation operations had commenced following the incident, with officials working to clear the affected section of the expressway.

In a separate development, LASTMA reported another road crash on Kara Bridge, inward Mowe.

The second incident involved a loaded trailer which reportedly collided with a Sports Utility Vehicle on the bridge.

The traffic management agency said officers and police personnel had been deployed to the affected areas to manage the resulting congestion, assist with the recovery process and ensure that traffic movement was maintained as much as possible.

“Officers and police personnel are on the ground doing the needful,” the agency stated.

LASTMA appealed to motorists to remain patient and exercise caution while approaching the affected sections of the expressway.

It assured road users that all hands were on deck to remove the obstructions and restore normal traffic flow.

The agency said motorists should cooperate with traffic officials and allow the recovery and evacuation teams to carry out their operations without hindrance.

The warning was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Environment, Ola Oresanya, following a forecast by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency identifying Ogun among states expected to experience heavy rainfall.

Oresanya said the first phase of the rainy season, which lasted from mid-March to July, recorded intense rainfall and isolated flash floods across parts of the state, although the impact was relatively minimal.

He attributed this to measures implemented by the state government, including public awareness campaigns, regular maintenance of rivers and drainage channels, and improved waste management.

The commissioner said major waterways, including Sokori River and its tributaries, Opa-Aro, Adiyan, Eruwuru, Yemule, Gbogidi Canal and Ijamido rivers and streams, had received particular attention.

According to him, NiMet’s Seasonal Climate Prediction indicates that the second phase of the rainy season will begin in September, with Ogun expected to record intense rainfall averaging about 360mm during the month.

He added that rainfall in inland areas of the state was expected to reduce from October into early November.

However, Oresanya warned that prolonged rainfall, possible overflow from Oyan Dam and tidal fluctuations could increase the risk of river and coastal flooding in some communities.

He said the combined effect could temporarily saturate wetlands and floodplains, making vulnerable areas more susceptible to flooding.

The commissioner specifically urged residents of Isheri, Arepo, Mawere, Magboro, Akute and Warewa, as well as parts of Abeokuta, to remain alert and relocate to safer locations where necessary.

He also listed coastal communities including Makun-Omi, Iwopin, Oni, Ifaara and Igele in Ogun Waterside; Ebute-Imobi in Ijebu East; Tungeji Island and Agosasa in Ipokia; and communities along the floodplains of the Ilo and Iju Rivers as areas requiring caution.

Oresanya further advised fish farmers operating around floodplains and river corridors to harvest their stocks promptly to reduce potential losses.

He specifically mentioned fish farmers in Eriwe, Yemule, Ilase and Ayegbami, among other vulnerable areas.

The commissioner called on relevant government agencies, local authorities, emergency response organisations, community leaders and other stakeholders to intensify flood monitoring and response efforts.

He also urged residents and community leaders to keep drainage channels free of obstructions and strengthen public awareness campaigns, stressing that early information and prompt action could help reduce the impact of flooding.

Oresanya said the state government would continue to monitor weather forecasts and hydrological conditions in collaboration with NiMet, the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority and other relevant agencies.

He assured residents that the government would sustain efforts to minimise the impact of flooding across the state and urged them to take the warning seriously and follow further updates from the authorities.

The incident occurred as aviation unions commenced picketing of Air Peace over unresolved labour and regulatory issues.

The National Union of Air Transport Employees, Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria and National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers, backed by the Nigeria Labour Congress and Trade Union Congress, began the picketing in the early hours of Tuesday.

The unions had earlier issued a three-stage warning over their planned action against airlines accused of failing to remit the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge to the NCAA.

They also alleged that some domestic airlines had restricted workers from freely joining trade unions, claiming employees feared discrimination or victimisation.

The unions described the action as a measure of restraint, saying the affected airlines had been given several weeks to address their grievances.

The dispute also centres on the alleged non-remittance of the five per cent Ticket Sales Charge meant to fund aviation agencies.

While enforcing the picketing, an airport source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told our correspondent that the driver of the bus in question drove into the airside and left the vehicle there in protest against the picketing.

The source added that the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria had to tow the vehicle away to allow free movement within the airside.

Confirming the development, the NCAA spokesperson, Michael Achimugu, said the authority had ordered the identification and arrest of the driver for onward prosecution.

He said, “During the enforcement of the picketing, a driver drove the large bus to the runway, parked and left the place.

“We have ordered that the driver in question be identified and arrested for onward prosecution. How can somebody block the runway? That is seriously uncalled for. We’ll investigate, and the necessary portions of the Act will be invoked.”

However, when contacted for a reaction, Air Peace spokesperson, Efe Whiskey-Osifo, dismissed the allegation, saying the vehicle did not block the runway.

The floodwaters overwhelmed major roads and communities, leaving motorists stranded and causing gridlock along the Lagos–Ore–Benin corridor, a major route for the movement of passengers, petroleum products and other goods.

In Ondo town, the headquarters of Ondo West Local Government Area, several locations, including Itanla Junction, Onipakala Junction and the UNIMED Road axis, were inundated. Vehicles, including those belonging to staff of the University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), were damaged, while commuters faced major disruptions.

The flooding also affected communities in Odigbo, Irele, Ode-Aye and Igbokoda, where rising water levels forced many residents to flee their homes after houses and business premises were submerged.

Although no deaths were recorded, several families were displaced, with many residents blaming the recurring flooding on prolonged rainfall and blocked drainage channels.

One of the affected travellers, Joshua Oladele, described the experience on the Lagos–Ore–Benin Expressway as frightening, urging the government to take urgent steps to prevent a recurrence.

“Everyone was stranded. No one expected the Lagos–Ore–Benin Highway to be affected by flooding. The government should urgently intervene to prevent this from happening again,” he said.

Residents of the affected communities also appealed to the government and relevant authorities to implement lasting solutions to the recurring flooding threatening lives and property.

Reacting to the incident, the Ondo State Government expressed sympathy with affected residents and acknowledged the extent of the damage caused by the flood.

The Commissioner for Environment, Tob Loko, said the government had already identified several flood-prone areas for intervention, adding that recent reports had revealed more locations requiring urgent attention.

He noted that while it might not be possible to address all affected communities immediately, the government remained committed to tackling the challenge through coordinated and sustained efforts.

Loko also disclosed that amphibious excavators were being deployed through the Office of the Special Assistant to the Governor on Technical and Ecological Control to carry out emergency clearing and channelisation of waterways.

He urged residents to promptly report flooding incidents and other environmental concerns to the Ministry of Environment and relevant agencies to support ongoing mitigation efforts.

The awareness campaign was organised by the NIWA Abuja Area/Liaison Office in Abaji Area Council as part of efforts to reduce accidents on inland waterways and promote environmental protection.

According to a statement issued by the authority, the exercise focused on educating residents living around waterways on safe boating practices, environmental stewardship and compliance with safety regulations.

NIWA stated that the campaign aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu’s administration and supports the enforcement of federal laws aimed at achieving zero tolerance for water transportation accidents and other waterway infractions.

Speaking during the programme, the Abuja Area Manager, Aisha Eri, appreciated the host communities for their cooperation and reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to protecting inland waterways as well as the lives and livelihoods of people who depend on them.

Also speaking, the Emir of Kwali, Alhaji Adamu Aguma, commended NIWA for the initiative and pledged the support of his community in ensuring compliance with water safety regulations and safeguarding the waterways.

Traditional rulers and district heads who attended the event also lauded the sensitisation exercise, assuring the agency of their commitment to implementing the safety measures introduced during the campaign.

The authority explained that the sensitisation programme forms part of a nationwide directive by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, mandating regular engagement with littoral communities across the country.

NIWA added that its Acting Managing Director, Alhaji Umar Girei, has directed all area offices to prioritise the implementation of the campaign, with the Abuja Area Office expected to extend the sensitisation exercise to other waterfront communities within and around the Federal Capital Territory in the coming week.

The aircraft, with registration number 5N-ENR, was carrying 68 passengers, in addition to its crew members, when the incident occurred.

A source at the Benin Airport, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the aircraft was operating an Enugu–Benin–Lagos commercial flight before it crash-landed.

According to the source, the aircraft overshot the runway and veered into the nearby bush after landing.

“The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) immediately swung into action, and all the passengers were evacuated. No casualty was recorded,” the source said.

The source, however, could not confirm the exact number of crew members on board at the time of the incident.

Further details are expected as investigations into the cause of the crash landing continue.

Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice M. S. Shuaibu held that FRSC officials acted beyond their statutory powers when they stopped, questioned and delayed motorists on roads within Kano metropolis in July 2025.

The court ruled that the commission’s actions violated the constitutional rights of citizens to personal liberty and freedom of movement as guaranteed under Sections 35 and 41 of the 1999 Constitution.

The suit was filed by Kano-based lawyer, Abba Hikima, who challenged the legality of the commission’s operations on state roads after he was stopped and questioned by FRSC operatives despite committing no traffic offence.

Justice Shuaibu granted the key reliefs sought by the applicant, including a perpetual injunction restraining FRSC officers from stopping, harassing or interfering with motorists on Kano State roads without lawful authority.

The court also ordered the commission to publish a public apology in a national newspaper and awarded Hikima N800,000 in damages and costs.

The dispute arose in July 2025 when FRSC operatives mounted checkpoints on township roads in Kano, demanding drivers’ licences and questioning motorists without any primary traffic violation.

Hikima argued that the FRSC exceeded the powers granted to it by law, maintaining that the commission’s mandate is limited to federal highways and does not extend to roads under the control of state or local governments.

The judgment affirms that the commission cannot enforce its powers on state and local government roads without the requisite legal authority.

Mohammed said the devastating floods recently experienced in Lagos and other states did not come as a surprise, insisting that the agency had earlier predicted the flooding and issued warnings that were not taken seriously.

According to him, NiHSA carried out its flood forecasts using different scientific models before the rains began.

“This is something we foresaw. We saw it coming,” he said.

He warned that if urgent measures are not taken, the flooding could become more severe as the rainy season intensifies.

“As we speak now, with the flooding happening, if nothing is done, this is just the start of the rainy season, sometime around July to September, and it could be worse than what is even happening right now.

“And we’re expecting it to be worse around August and September, particularly August and September,” he said.

The NiHSA boss also raised concerns over the possible impact of flooding on drinking water, warning that water sources in affected communities could become contaminated.

Reacting to the widespread flooding that followed Tuesday’s torrential rainfall in Lagos, Mohammed said the state’s geographical location makes it vulnerable to different types of flooding.

He explained that Lagos is exposed to urban flooding, riverine flooding and coastal flooding because it is a coastal state with a major river system and is located close to the Atlantic Ocean.

According to him, the combination of these three forms of flooding could make the situation more devastating.

Mohammed noted that some parts of Lagos are at or below sea level, making it difficult for floodwaters to drain naturally.

He also blamed blocked and silted drainage systems for worsening the flooding, saying many drains inspected by the agency were already filled with stagnant water even before the peak of the rainy season.

He explained that the flooding currently being experienced in Lagos is being intensified by water flowing from the Ogun River into the state, adding that the riverine flooding is combining with urban flooding to increase the volume of water.

The NiHSA chief warned that if tidal flooding also occurs during periods of heavy rainfall, the situation could become even more severe.

He said the agency expects flooding to continue intermittently from July to September before gradually reducing in October.

According to him, the country may not experience significant relief until around November.

Mohammed also lamented what he described as poor cooperation from state governments, saying many fail to take the agency’s annual flood outlook and early warning reports seriously until flooding occurs.

He urged governments and residents to take precautionary measures, clear drainage channels and pay closer attention to flood forecasts to minimise the impact of the ongoing rainy season.

Punch

Umahi issued the directive on Tuesday while inspecting the project, warning that the government would not tolerate delays in the execution of critical infrastructure works.

“We cannot be pampering contractors. If you are holding the money of the Federal Government, you have to bring it out and do the job or we start going to the Police and the EFCC,” he said.

He added that contractors must immediately deploy to site and commence work, stressing that additional funds had already been approved and signed off by the President.

“I am giving you 72 hours to effectively deploy on this road and utilise the money, while I am chasing the release of the other money. The President has graciously signed it,” he said.

According to the minister, the Abuja-bound section of the road has deteriorated significantly, with more than 90 per cent of the stretch reportedly damaged. He warned that the situation could worsen further if urgent intervention is not carried out within months.

“While the President is doing his best and feeling the pressure, all stakeholders must also play their part,” he added.

Umahi also criticised some supervising engineers for failing to properly monitor contractors, accusing them of neglecting site inspections while remaining in their offices.

He vowed to enforce accountability within the ministry, warning that officials who fail in their supervisory duties would be removed from project oversight roles.

“I am going to remove ministry staffers who are not doing well. You are supervising projects, yet you cannot answer any question on any of the projects,” he said.

The minister expressed frustration over what he described as poor oversight and lack of responsibility among some ministry personnel, noting that public criticism is often directed at the Ministry of Works and the President despite lapses in supervision.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the House Committee on Works, Akin Alabi, stressed the importance of collaboration between contractors, government officials, and funding agencies to ensure timely delivery of road infrastructure projects.

He said observations from the Abuja–Lokoja road sites suggested a gap between official reports and the actual situation on ground.

“What we have seen here suggests that reports reaching the minister do not fully reflect realities on the ground,” he said.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Works, Senator Onyekachi Nwaebonyi, urged relevant agencies to ensure timely payments to contractors where approvals have been granted, warning against delays that could hinder project delivery.

“Nigerians want to see results and are no longer interested in excuses,” he said.

The Abuja–Lokoja road remains one of the major federal highway corridors connecting the Federal Capital Territory to the North Central region, and has faced repeated concerns over its deteriorating condition.