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Kaduna/Abuja rail derailment: HoR summon Minister of Transportation to appear on Thursday
The House of Representatives has expressed concern over the state of safety on Nigeria’s rail networks.
Consequently, the Honourable Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Ahmed Alkali, has been summoned to appear before its Committee on Land Transport within 48 hours, following his absence at an emergency session convened to address urgent railway safety concerns.
This was contained in a statement issued and signed by the House spokesman Rep. Akin Rotimi, Jr.
The sitting of the Committee on Tuesday in Abuja, chaired by Rep. Blessing Onyeche Onuh (APC, Benue), was convened with a clear mandate: to consider emergency issues related to Nigeria’s railway system, particularly the recent derailment of a Kaduna-bound train at Asham Station on August 26, 2025. The incident caused injuries to passengers, damage to railway infrastructure, and the indefinite suspension of services along the Abuja–Kaduna corridor. The Committee also sought a comprehensive briefing from the Honourable Minister and key stakeholders on safety measures, project status, and broader operational and contractual issues in the sector.
Honourable Members at the meeting, expressed deep concern that Senator Alkali failed to attend, instead verbally delegating a representative, an action that contravenes the Standing Orders of the House. While the Managing Director of the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Dr. Kayode Opeifa, was present, the Managing Director of the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), another critical stakeholder, was absent.
Members of the Committee condemned the absence of the Minister and the MD of CCECC, describing it as unacceptable and emphasising that no other assignment should take precedence over accountability when Nigerian lives are at stake. They further stressed that Nigerians are watching closely to see transparency and responsibility in railway safety and project delivery.
The Committee, having rejected the Minister’s verbal attempt at delegation, adjourned for 48 hours and resolved to issue a formal summons for his personal appearance, and that of the CCECC Managing Director. It also reaffirmed its commitment to conducting a thorough inquiry into safety, operational, and contractual matters affecting Nigeria’s railway system.
The 10th House of Representatives assures Nigerians that their safety and welfare remain paramount, in line with its Legislative Agenda on Social Sector Reform and Development (Agenda 5). Parliament will continue to uphold its constitutional duty of oversight to ensure accountability and safeguard the lives of citizens.
Iran has carried out the execution of two individuals accused of collaborating with Israeli intelligence, according to an official statement from the country’s judiciary.
Authorities said the two men were convicted on charges of espionage linked to Mossad, and were found guilty of working with what officials described as a hostile intelligence network operating within Iran.
According to the judiciary, the suspects had been under investigation for activities considered detrimental to national security.
Their death sentences were subsequently upheld by the country’s Supreme Court prior to being enforced.
The executions were confirmed on April 20, 2026, although officials did not provide specific details regarding the exact time or location.
Iranian authorities stated that the case is part of ongoing efforts to counter and dismantle foreign intelligence operations within its borders.
There has been no independent confirmation of the allegations, and Israeli authorities have not issued any immediate response.
The incident reflects the persistent strain in relations between the two countries, with Iran frequently reporting the uncovering of alleged espionage networks tied to Israeli operatives.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of a new campus of the Police Academy in Erinja, Yewa South Local Government Area in Ogun State.
President Tinubu also approved a special take-off grant of N15billion for the college.
The President’s approval was in fulfilment of the provisions of the Nigeria Police Academy (Establishment) Act, 2021, particularly with respect to the expansion of the Police Academy based in Wudil, Kano state, into multiple campuses across the country.
The intervention fund will be sourced from the TetFund 2026 allocation to finance priority infrastructure, academic facilities, student accommodation, and core training assets.
A high-level consultative meeting involving the Minister of Police Affairs, the Minister of Education, Dr Tunji Alausa, officials of the Federal Ministry of Education, the Inspector-General of Police and the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC) recommended the siting of the new campus in Erinja.
The meeting considered student intake capacity, funding realities, academic quality assurance, and the long-term needs of the Nigerian Police Force, which is currently recruiting more men.
President Tinubu believes the expansion will strengthen institutional governance, modern policing education and national security.
The People’s Democratic Party (PDP), South West Zone, has disowned a press conference purportedly held in Ibadan on Monday, which claimed that the zone had condemned the former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, declared support for Governor Makinde of Oyo State and loyalty to a Turaki-led National Working Committee.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Zonal Publicity Secretary, Akinloye Oyeniyi, described the event as the work of organised impostors who do not represent the party at any level.
“The Zonal Chairman, Engr. Deji Doherty, was away in Abuja attending the 108th meeting of the National Executive Committee of our great party and no zonal officials held any press conference. The claim of an Ibadan press conference is therefore a barefaced lie,” Oyeniyi said.
The statement said those behind the Ibadan gathering do not speak for the party, hold no mandate, and are not recognised by any organ of the PDP from ward to national level.
Oyeniyi further said the illegality of the group was very pronounced, noting that they do not even have a Zonal Vice Chairman, which is very significant for any structure claiming to speak for the PDP South West.
“These are the ones whose agenda was to destabilise the party but they failed. Looking at them, one could see that their group is now a psychiatric ward with no staff. Destabilising elements always end up as wanderers. Karma never forgets, and wickedness by default carries consequences too,” the statement read.
According to Oyeniyi, “these ones slung toboggan, and now the stones are expectedly raining on them, and their current noise and theatrics will not substitute for acceptance by party members or the public.”
The PDP South West said its loyalty to the Abdulrahman-led National Working Committee and the National Leader, His Excellency Nyesom Wike remains unalloyed and also advised the impostors to retrace their steps and rejoin the party through the proper channels, rather than constituting themselves into a nuisance, as no amount of media stunts or paid propaganda will confer any legitimacy on illegitimacy.
He urged the general public, party faithful, and the media to disregard the publication, stating that official communications of the PDP South West Zone would continue to come only through recognised party channels in the zone under the leadership of Engr. Deji Doherty.
Iran executes two men over spying for Israel
Tinubu approves N15bn take off grant for new police academy
PDP South West Disowns Ibadan Press Conference, Calls Organisers Criminal Impostors
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