News
Explosion rocks Sapele, leaving one dead, several injured
An explosion shook the Timber City of Sapele, Delta State, on Tuesday evening, resulting in the death of one person and injuring several others. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. at a dumpsite along Mission Road, where local scavengers typically store scrap materials.
Eyewitnesses report that the explosion likely stemmed from an improvised explosive device (IED) inadvertently brought to the site by one of the scavengers. According to sources close to the scene, the individual killed was identified as a Northerner, with his body severely impacted by the blast. At least two others sustained critical injuries, including individuals residing near the dumpsite. “They are currently receiving medical treatment,” a source said, adding that the explosion has left the area in shock and mourning.
Local authorities are investigating the circumstances leading to the tragic incident. A senior police officer, speaking anonymously, suggested that the blast may have been triggered by a scavenger unknowingly handling a hazardous item. “It’s possible they mistook it for scrap metal. Our initial suspicion is that it might have been a gas or fire extinguisher cylinder,” the officer explained, emphasizing that more details would come to light as the investigation unfolds.
In the aftermath of the explosion, community leaders voiced concerns about the safety of scavenging operations in Sapele, where numerous dumpsites operate without adequate oversight. With over 15 dumpsites across the town, the lack of safety measures puts scavengers at significant risk. Local advocates are calling for urgent interventions to protect individuals involved in scavenging, highlighting the need for policies to ensure their safety and minimize future hazards.
By Gloria Ikibah
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has clarified reports alleging that his land title in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was revoked due to unpaid dues.
In a press statement issued on December 20, 2024, the Speaker’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, affirmed that Speaker Abbas owns only one land title in the FCT and had fully settled the required payment in October 2024. This payment was made promptly after the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) issued public notices in the newspapers regarding outstanding obligations.
The Speaker described the inclusion of his name among defaulters as an error on the part of the FCTA and urged the agency to exercise greater caution in managing such matters.
He also called on the media to verify facts thoroughly before publishing reports, cautioning against the dissemination of misleading information that could tarnish his reputation.
The Speaker therefore appealed for restraint in circulating inaccurate.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has given owners of the 762 plots of land in Maitama II District, Cadastral Zone, A10, Abuja, a fresh two-week ultimatum to pay for their Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O) or risk final revocation of their allocations.
According to a statement on Friday, by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and New Media, Lere Olayinka, the FCT Minister reiterated that the primary interest was not for people to lose their lands, but to get them to make necessary payments to the government.
The statement read: “It should be recalled that on October 5, 2024, list of 3,273 allottees/title holders that were yet to pay for their C-of-O were published. They were offered two weeks to pay their bills or lose their Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) titles. Out of the 3,273, a total of 2,511 complied, leaving 762.
Yesterday, notice of withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of the 762 defaulters was published.
“Since then, many of the affected allottees have offered to pay, and since the primary aim of the government is to ensure payment, a two weeks grace has been given.
“Consequently, the 762 allottees and the 614 others with outstanding payment on C-of-O will have till January 3, 2025 to pay, or have their R-of-O titles withdrawn, pursuant to the provisions of Section 28 of the Land Use Act of 1978.
After January 3, 2025, there will be no further extension and withdrawal of the R-of-O titles of defaulters will be final.”
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Tajudeen Abbas has declared that he is not owing FCTA a dime as alleged in a section of the media.
The speaker who made this declaration via a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Musa Abdullahi Kirishi stated that:
“The attention of the Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D, GCON, has been drawn to reports in both the print and electronic media to the effect that the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) revoked land titles in the FCT, belonging to certain individuals, including the Speaker, due to non-settlement of outstanding payments.
“For the record, His Excellency, Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D, GCON, has only one land allocated to him in the FCT, and has since settled his outstanding payment in October 2024, following the FCTA’s newspapers’ publications to that effect.
“It is, therefore, an error for the FCTA to include his name among those having outstanding payments, leading to the revocation of the land titles. The FCTA is advised to be more circumspect in handling such issues.
The Speaker cautions the media to always verify their facts before going to press with such issues.
The media are, therefore, urged to desist from further publishing or spreading such misleading information about the person of the Speaker.
Speaker Abbas Refutes Claims of Outstanding Land Payment to FCTA
Wike gives final ultimatum to land owners to pay for C-of-O
Land Title:Speaker Abbas insists he’s not owing FCTA
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