By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The death toll from the tanker explosion at the Ugwu-Onyeama axis of the Enugu-Onitsha Expressway has climbed to 23, following the deaths of two additional victims who had been receiving treatment in the hospital.
Franklin Agbakoba, the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Enugu State Command, confirmed the latest fatalities on Tuesday in Enugu. He stated that two female victims—one at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku-Ozalla, and another at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu—succumbed to their injuries after battling for about a week.

The deadly incident occurred on January 25, at approximately 11:30 a.m., when a fuel-laden tanker suffered a brake failure, overturned, and exploded. The inferno engulfed multiple vehicles, killing 11 people instantly before emergency responders could arrive.

The situation worsened in the days that followed:

January 26: The death toll rose to 18.
January 29: The number of fatalities increased to 21.
February 5: The latest update brings the toll to 23.
Following the explosion, emergency personnel, including FRSC officers and the Enugu State Fire Service, swiftly responded to the scene.

The fire was eventually extinguished, and the bodies of the deceased were evacuated, while injured survivors were rushed to major hospitals in Enugu.

According to Agbakoba, five victims were initially admitted to UNTH:

One succumbed to injuries at the end of January.

Another remains hospitalized.
Three victims from the same family were discharged against medical advice and opted for traditional treatment at home.
At the ESUTH Teaching Hospital, Parklane, Enugu:

Three female victims remain hospitalized.
Two patients were referred to the National Orthopaedic Hospital due to severe burns.
At the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu:

One of the three victims admitted six days ago has died.
Two remain in critical condition.

They were later joined by another victim referred from ESUTH.
Agbakoba had previously disclosed that the tragic accident involved 44 individuals, as well as 16 vehicles (both commercial and private) and a commercial tricycle.

In total:

23 people have now lost their lives (8 males and 15 females).

Another 23 sustained injuries and were treated across three major government hospitals:
UNTH Ituku-Ozalla
ESUTH Teaching Hospital, Parklane
National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu.

The rising death toll underscores the severity of burn injuries and the urgent need for improved emergency response and medical facilities in Nigeria. Authorities have continued investigations into the accident, with calls for stricter safety regulations for fuel tankers to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Nigerian comedian and filmmaker, Ayodeji Richard Makun, popularly known as Comedian AY, has strongly condemned the circulation of AI-generated images depicting him kissing May Edochie, the estranged wife of Nollywood actor Yul Edochie.

The manipulated photos and videos, which surfaced online, falsely show AY and May sharing an intimate moment on a flight to London. Reacting to the controversy in a lengthy Instagram post on Tuesday night, AY criticized the misuse of artificial intelligence for spreading false narratives and urged content creators to channel their talents toward more constructive endeavors.

AY’s Call for Responsible Innovation
Expressing frustration over the situation, AY emphasized the dangers of fabricating stories to tarnish people’s reputations. He highlighted the case of reality TV star Alex Unusual, who had previously faced similar allegations about a romantic relationship with him. He questioned whether people were deliberately attempting to drive away those who work with him.

In his post, AY wrote:

Nigeria is full of potential, and your unique skills—whether in art, music, technology, or entrepreneurship—can drive positive change. Instead of using creativity to attack hardworking individuals, let’s focus on uplifting one another.”

Condemning False Narratives and Cyberbullying
AY warned about the negative impact of false narratives, stressing that social media users must recognize the consequences of their actions.

“At what point will we realize that unity and collaboration yield better results than division? The other time, it was the poor @alex_unusual who is yet to recover from the false narratives about her. Must you all chase away everyone working with me or trying to earn an honest living through me?”

He further urged Nigerians to support one another’s growth, rather than engaging in damaging and misleading content creation.

A Call for Ethical Use of Technology
Concluding his post, AY appealed to young creatives to use their talents ethically and productively, rather than engaging in cyberbullying or defamation.

“Remember, your talents can be a force for good. Let’s use them to build bridges.”

The Bigger Picture: Misinformation and AI Manipulation
AY’s reaction highlights growing concerns about AI-generated misinformation, especially in the entertainment industry. The rise of deepfake technology has made it easier to create convincing yet false images and videos, leading to potential damage to reputations and careers. His statement calls for responsible digital innovation and ethical use of technology in Nigeria and beyond.

As the controversy unfolds, AY’s firm stance serves as a reminder of the importance of verifying information before sharing, as well as the need for stricter measures against AI-fueled misinformation.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

President Trump and the leaders of Mexico and Canada struck last-minute deals yesterday to postpone by 30 days the imposition of punitive tariffs on goods exported to the U.S.

A 10 percent tariff on Chinese goods took effect just after midnight in the U.S.

The frenzy of last-minute maneuvering demonstrated Trump’s willingness to use tariffs as a source of leverage against the most important U.S. trading partners, in what he called an effort to curb drug smuggling and illegal immigration.

Imports from Mexico, Canada and China account for more than a third of the products brought into the U.S. each year.

China was still preparing its response to the tariffs yesterday.

Trump’s aggressive “America First” foreign policy holds both promise and peril for Beijing, as it seeks to strengthen ties with alienated U.S. allies. Tariffs “will definitely happen with the E.U.,” Trump told the BBC on Sunday, and they are coming “pretty soon.” He doubled down on the threat yesterday, complaining about deficits in auto and farm products.