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Six states in northern Nigeria will experience total blackout on Saturday and Sunday.

The states according to Transmission Company of Nigeria are Bauchi, Gombe, Yobe (Damaturu), Borno (Maiduguri), Adamawa (Yola), and Taraba (Jalingo).

Spokesperson of Transmission Company of Nigeria, TCN, Ndidi Mbah, made this known in a statement on Saturday.

TCN said the blackout is due to scheduled Optical Ground Wire, OPGW, installation on the 330kV Jos-Bauchi-Gombe single-circuit transmission line at Bauchi 330/132/33kV.

As a result, electricity users of Yola Electricity Distribution Company, YEDC, and Jos Electricity Distribution Company, JEDC, will be without power supply for two days.

“As a result, Yola Electricity Distribution Company, YEDC and Jos Electricity Distribution Company, JEDC will be unable to off-take electricity for onward delivery to customers in Bauchi, Gombe, Damaturu, Maiduguri, Yola, Jalingo, and its environs.

“Please note that bulk power supply will be restored immediately after the exercise,” the statement reads.

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Spain have been installed as favourites to beat defending champions Argentina in Sunday’s 2026 FIFA World Cup final, with the Opta supercomputer predicting Luis de la Fuente’s side will end La Albiceleste’s reign.

According to TNT Sports, the Opta supercomputer gives Spain a 59 per cent chance of lifting the trophy in New Jersey, while Argentina’s chances of retaining the title stand at 41 per cent.

The final pits two unbeaten teams against each other in what could be Lionel Messi’s last appearance at a World Cup.

Recall that Argentina reached the showpiece in dramatic fashion after beating England in the semi-finals. Anthony Gordon had fired the Three Lions ahead in Atlanta before Messi inspired a stunning turnaround, providing assists in the 85th and 92nd minutes to keep the holders’ title defence alive.

Spain, meanwhile, produced one of the performances of the tournament by defeating France 2-0 in Dallas. Goals from Mikel Oyarzabal and Pedro Porro ended Les Bleus’ hopes of reaching a third consecutive World Cup final.

The European champions are chasing their second men’s World Cup title and first since their historic triumph in South Africa in 2010. Since then, Spain had failed to progress beyond the round of 16 until this year’s impressive campaign.

Despite Argentina’s pedigree, the Opta supercomputer believes Spain’s current form gives them the edge to claim what would be their fifth major international trophy since 2008.

Argentina carry an outstanding World Cup record into the final, having gone 13 matches without defeat since their shock opening loss to Saudi Arabia at the 2022 tournament.

However, Lionel Scaloni’s men have endured a demanding route to the final. They needed extra time to overcome Cabo Verde and Switzerland, while late fightbacks against Egypt and England tested their resilience.

Spain have enjoyed a smoother journey. Although they required late winners from Mikel Merino in two matches, they have looked solid throughout the competition and have conceded just one goal, compared with Argentina’s seven.

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The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Anambra State Sector Command, has confirmed a fatal lone road traffic crash that claimed the lives of three persons on Friday.

The incident occurred at about 10:30 a.m. near St. Jude Catholic Church, Adazi-Ani, along the Nnobi–Agulu–Awka Road.

According to the FRSC, the crash involved a Mercedes-Benz 608 commercial truck with registration number XB270NNL.

Initial investigation showed that the vehicle suffered a mechanical failure, caught fire, and the driver lost control.

The truck crashed into a roadside barricade, somersaulted, and trapped some occupants as it became engulfed in flames.

A press statement released by the Sector Public Education Officer, SRC Margaret B. Onabe, said a total of seven male occupants were involved. While three persons died on the spot, four others sustained serious injuries.

The statement said FRSC rescue personnel responded swiftly to a distress call received at 10:35 a.m. and immediately took control of traffic, diverted vehicles to the opposite lane, and arranged for the removal of the burnt truck from the roadway.

Reacting to the crash, the Sector Commander of the FRSC Anambra State Command, Corps Commander Bridget Asekhauno, expressed deep sympathy to the families of the deceased and wished the injured a speedy recovery.

She reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to prompt emergency response and road safety enforcement.

Corps Commander Asekhauno urged motorists, especially commercial vehicle operators, to always ensure their vehicles are mechanically sound before embarking on any journey.

She advised against carrying flammable materials in unsafe conditions and called for regular vehicle maintenance to prevent mechanical failures.