Author: Gabby

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has sounded an alert following the rescue of 353 individuals from road accidents and other emergencies in the first five months of 2026. This revelation was made by Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, the General Manager, during a review of the agency’s emergency response efforts. He emphasized the need for heightened caution as the rainy season sets in.

According to Bakare-Oki, the rescued victims included 207 adult males, 137 adult females, and nine male children. All received prompt assistance from LASTMA personnel who quickly responded to accident scenes across Lagos. He noted that the figure highlights both the agency’s dedication to saving lives and the persistent dangers faced by road users during adverse weather.

The rainy season brings numerous hazards such as poor visibility, slippery roads, reduced traction, flooding, and mechanical failures, all of which increase the likelihood of accidents. Bakare-Oki stressed that many crashes could be avoided with responsible driving habits, including obeying speed limits, maintaining safe distances, avoiding reckless overtaking, and regular vehicle maintenance.

He advised motorists to check critical vehicle components like brakes, tires, windshield wipers, lights, indicators, and steering before traveling in heavy rain. Drivers were also warned against speeding on wet roads, as braking distances increase and tire grip decreases, raising the risk of skidding and collisions. Additionally, he cautioned against driving through flooded areas without assessing depth and conditions.

Bakare-Oki commended LASTMA’s Rescue and Emergency Response Team, as well as other emergency responders, healthcare workers, security agencies, and rescue partners for their collaborative efforts. He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to enhancing emergency response through training, modern equipment, strategic patrol deployment, and inter-agency cooperation.

He urged all road users to prioritize safety, patience, and discipline, noting that road safety is a shared responsibility. ‘Every life saved is invaluable,’ he concluded, urging motorists to make safety their top priority this rainy season. LASTMA remains prepared to respond swiftly to emergencies and ensure smooth traffic flow across Lagos as rainfall intensifies.

In response to the growing threat of terrorism across Nigeria, civil society organizations in Akwa Ibom State have called on citizens to actively support security agencies, particularly through intelligence sharing. The appeal was made during the ‘Akwa Ibom Unite Against Terror’ campaign organized by the Centre for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN).

Otuekong Franklyn Isong, the state director of CHRAN, emphasized that terrorism is a universal enemy that disregards religion, ethnicity, or social status. He stressed that it has devastated homes and communities, and urged everyone to adopt a ‘see something, say something’ approach. Isong warned that failing to report suspicious activities could lead to personal harm when such acts unfold.

Clifford Thomas, Esq., convener of the Akwa Ibom Human Rights Community, encouraged residents to explore local solutions for protection, referencing incidents in Bayelsa and Abia where community members successfully subdued attackers. He reminded the public that self-defense is a constitutional right under Section 33(2) of the 1999 Constitution, and called for the introduction of state policing to better address insecurity.

Other CSO leaders, including Dr. Victor David of Vital Partners, reiterated that combating insecurity requires collective effort, not just government action. David urged Nigerians to safeguard their unity and democratic future against terror, demanding a nation where citizens can travel, farm, work, worship, and vote without fear.

Residents and medical staff in Kurmi Local Government Area of Taraba State have raised urgent concerns about the crumbling state of the First Referral Hospital in Baissa. They describe the facility as being in a precarious condition, no longer able to effectively serve the over 100,000 people who depend on it for primary and emergency healthcare.

Recent images circulating on social media have highlighted severe structural decay within the hospital, prompting a collective appeal from community leaders and healthcare workers. The group, speaking through Dauda Hosea Bello, warned that without immediate government action, preventable deaths and worsening health outcomes are inevitable.

The hospital, which is the primary referral center for Kurmi LGA and adjacent border communities, reportedly suffers from leaking roofs, erratic water supply, and inconsistent electricity. Critical medical equipment is either broken or completely absent, creating hazardous conditions for both patients and staff.

Manpower shortages have also reached critical levels, with some departments running on just one or two volunteer workers. This has severely impacted emergency response and overnight care, leaving the hospital unable to fulfill its role as a reliable healthcare destination.

Stakeholders emphasized that the collapse of FRH Baissa would have cascading effects, straining primary health centers that rely on it for referral services. They also noted that the state’s access to vital healthcare funding—such as the Basic Health Care Provision Fund and donor programs—depends on maintaining functional referral systems.

In their appeal, the group called on Governor Agbu Kefas to prioritize emergency rehabilitation. Their demands include fixing damaged infrastructure, supplying modern medical gear, installing solar power, drilling boreholes for reliable water, and equipping the theatre with basic tools. They also urged the government to deploy more doctors, nurses, lab scientists, and community health extension workers to address the staffing crisis.

The Oyo State Police Command has clarified that two individuals abducted in Igbope remain in captivity, contradicting widespread claims of their release. The victims, Mrs Kuburat Omowumi and her son, were kidnapped on June 16, 2026.

Reports had circulated online suggesting that the duo was freed following a two-hour ultimatum issued by Yoruba Nation activist Sunday Adeyemo, popularly known as Sunday Igboho. However, the police have categorically dismissed these assertions as false and misleading.

In an official statement, Police Public Relations Officer Olayinka Ayanlade emphasized that the command is actively working to secure the victims’ safe return. He cautioned the public against believing unverified information, particularly from a viral video claiming the rescue.

Ayanlade stated, “The Oyo State Police Command has observed a video and related online content alleging that the victims abducted at Igbope on June 16, 2026, namely Mrs Kuburat Omowumi and her son, have been rescued. The command wishes to state unequivocally that the claim contained in the circulated video is false, unfounded, and misleading.”

He further noted that investigations and rescue efforts are ongoing, urging citizens to rely on official updates for accurate information.

A Nigerian civil society organization, the Center for Reform and Public Advocacy (CFRPA), has reignited the debate over President Bola Tinubu’s academic credentials, specifically the Chicago State University certificate he submitted to run in the 2023 election. The group, which advocates for good governance, formally petitioned the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, demanding immediate clarification on the authenticity of the document.

In a letter dated June 19, 2026, and received at INEC headquarters in Abuja the same day, the CFRPA urged the electoral body to act swiftly to ensure integrity in the electoral process ahead of the 2027 presidential election. The group emphasized that allowing candidates with questionable backgrounds to participate would undermine democratic standards. The letter, signed by the group’s Head of Legal Unit, Barrister Kalu Agu, warned that failure to address the matter could lead to legal action to compel INEC to disqualify ineligible candidates.

The petition cited discrepancies in Tinubu’s educational history, alleging that he claimed to have attended Government College Lagos from 1960 to 1970, despite the school being established in 1974. Based on this, the group argued that his primary and secondary certificates may be forged, which could affect the validity of his Chicago State University admission. They referenced Section 137(1)(j) and Section 285(14) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, which disqualify candidates who present forged certificates.

The CFRPA recalled that during the 2023 election cycle, a U.S. court order (Case No. 23 CV 05099) compelled Chicago State University to release Tinubu’s academic records to opposition candidate Atiku Abubakar. The group claimed these records revealed false entries, including the alleged forgery of a Cambridge General Certificate of Education from 1970. They also asserted that Tinubu’s National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) discharge certificate is forged, noting that they have separately written to the NYSC Director General and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation requesting a disclaimer.

The group called on Amupitan, a professor of law and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, to leverage his expertise to resolve the lingering controversy. They warned that if INEC does not publicly clarify Tinubu’s eligibility, they will initiate legal proceedings to prevent the commission from accepting his candidacy for the 2027 election. The letter concluded that presenting forged certificates renders a candidate ineligible under the constitution, and INEC has a constitutional duty to regulate political parties and disqualify such individuals.