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Former Deputy Governor of Bauchi State, Sen. Baba Tela, has lost two of his children in a fatal motor crash.

The tragic deaths of the two children, Mustapha and Ummi, occurred on Saturday when the car they were travelling in crashed along the Bauchi-Azare road on their way back to Bauchi from Azare, headquarters of Katagum LGA.

It was reported that the two died on the spot following the impact of the crash, and their corpses were moved to a hospital in Bauchi where the deaths were confirmed.

Meanwhile, Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, has expressed deep sorrow and heartfelt condolences over the tragedy that claimed the lives of the two children of his former deputy.

The Governor, on behalf of his family, the government, and the good people of Bauchi State in a statement signed by Mukhtar Gidado, Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Governor, extended his deepest condolences to Baba Tela over the tragic death of his beloved children, Mustapha and Ummi, who lost their lives in a ghastly motor accident along the Bauchi-Azare road while returning from Azare.

Bala Mohammed said he received the heartbreaking news with profound shock and sadness, describing the incident as a painful tragedy that has cast a shadow of grief over the entire state.

The Governor also said the loss of two young lives in such tragic circumstances is not only a devastating blow to Senator Baba Tela and his immediate family but also a painful loss to the entire people of Bauchi State.

He prayed that Almighty Allah (SWT) would grant the departed eternal rest in Aljannatul Firdaus and give their parents, family members, friends, and all those affected the strength, patience, and fortitude to bear the loss.

The Governor urged the bereaved family to take solace in the will of Almighty Allah, reminding them that every soul shall return to its Creator at the appointed time.

He assured Senator Baba Tela of the thoughts, prayers, and solidarity of the government and people of Bauchi State during this difficult period.

The Governor also extended his heartfelt sympathies to all those affected by the accident and prayed for the speedy recovery of those who sustained injuries.

Bala Mohammed urged residents of the state to join him in praying for the peaceful repose of the souls of the deceased and for Allah’s comfort upon the bereaved family.

The funeral prayer for the deceased is scheduled to take place on Sunday, July 5, 2026, at the Emir’s Palace, Bauchi, by 11:00am.

He prayed that Almighty Allah (SWT) would forgive their shortcomings, admit them into Aljannatul Firdaus, and grant comfort and strength to all those mourning the loss. (Sunday Tribune)

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Two more Nigerians have been killed in South Africa, the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg confirmed on Saturday, as violent attacks and harassment of black foreigners escalate across the country.

The victims, identified as Emeka Iroegbu and Musa Joe, were both killed on Sunday, 28 June, in separate incidents in Gauteng and Mpumalanga provinces.

–One allegedly tortured by police, another killed by “suspected criminals”–

According to the consulate’s statement, Mr Joe was killed by “suspected criminals” in Witbank, Mpumalanga province.

Mr Iroegbu was allegedly tortured to death by officers of the Tshwane Metro Police in Sunnyside, a suburb of Pretoria. The consulate said the victim was subjected to “gruesome torture techniques” while in custody, which led to his death.

The latest killings bring to four the number of Nigerians confirmed murdered in South Africa since the current wave of xenophobic attacks began in April.

—Pattern mirrors earlier killings—

The deaths mirror those of two other Nigerians killed earlier this year: Amaramiro Emmanuel and Ekpenyong Andrew.

Both men were arrested and allegedly beaten to death by personnel of the South African National Defence Force in Port Elizabeth.

Mr Andrew’s body was found days after his arrest on 19 April in the Booysens area of Pretoria.

He was picked up following an alleged altercation with Tshwane Metro Police officers. His corpse was later discovered at the Pretoria Central Mortuary.

Mr Emmanuel died a day later from injuries sustained during the SANDF attack.

Following those killings, the Nigerian government summoned the South African High Commissioner and demanded a thorough investigation. Two months later, the investigation is still pending and no arrests have been made.

—“Deliberate attempt to tag Nigerians as criminals”—

The consulate condemned the continuing violence, saying the pattern “raises questions over the safety of Nigerians and other foreigners in South Africa.”

“The death is coming at a time when foreigners are being unduly targeted in South Africa, raising questions about what seems to be a deliberate attempt by some elements to generalise wrongfully and tag well-meaning, hard-working and respectable Nigerians in the country as criminals,” the statement read.

It called for “a thorough and immediate investigation” and said, “We expect the authorities to do the needful and achieve the ultimate prosecution of the perpetrators.”

Nigerian officials have repeatedly condemned the attacks but have also urged Nigerians in Nigeria to refrain from retaliatory attacks on South African businesses.

—Anti-foreigner protests intensify—

South Africa’s anti-foreigner campaign reignited in April after videos of citizens attacking African migrants circulated online.

Tensions worsened after anti-immigrant groups issued an arbitrary 30 June deadline for African foreigners to leave the country. Last Tuesday, thousands marched in multiple cities chanting “Abahambe!” — Zulu for “They must go!” Shops were looted and properties destroyed during the protests.

The violence has not been limited to Nigerians. The deaths of at least five Mozambicans and five Ethiopians have also been attributed to xenophobic attacks. Hundreds of African foreigners have been displaced.

Several African countries, including Nigeria, Ghana, Mozambique, Malawi, and Zimbabwe, have begun repatriating hundreds of their citizens.

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The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has alleged that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC is facing mounting pressure from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, over preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, made the allegation during an interview with The Sun on Saturday.

According to Abdullahi, INEC is caught between preserving its independence and responding to political pressure from the ruling party.

“INEC is conflicted. There is tension between its desire to maintain its independence and the pressure it is facing from the ruling party. Sometimes it yields to that pressure, while at other times it tries to resist and uphold its independence,” he said.

He added that the ADC sympathises with the INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, over what he described as the pressure being mounted on him, but stressed that the issue goes beyond the individual.

“We have sympathy for the INEC chairman because we understand the kind of pressure he is under. But this is not about him alone; it is about the institution of INEC.

“Politicians are not the only ones on trial. ADC is not the only party on trial, and neither is any other political party. INEC is also on trial, just as the judiciary is.

“INEC has an opportunity to demonstrate that its loyalty lies with the Nigerian Constitution and the Nigerian people. Every government eventually leaves office and is judged by history.

“History will remember Prof. Amupitan. He must decide the role he wants to play in Nigeria’s democratic history—whether he wants to be remembered with honour or with ignominy. The opportunity to make that choice is now,” Abdullahi stated.