By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Another tanker explosion in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State, has left seven people dead and one critically injured.

The incident occurred on the evening of March 4, 2025, when a fuel-laden tanker lost control while navigating a deteriorated road, ultimately overturning and spilling its highly flammable Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) into a nearby stream.

The contaminated stream, a crucial water source for dry-season farmers, became the ignition point of disaster when the spilled fuel made contact with an active water pump.

The spark from the pump triggered a ferocious fire, which rapidly spread through the waterway, leading back to the overturned tanker and causing a massive explosion.

The raging flames engulfed nearby rice fields and fruit plantations, trapping several farmers working in their fields.

By the time emergency responders arrived, seven lives had already been lost. The victims were identified as Rafiatu Sahabi, Ramlat Shehu, Rashida Abdullahi, Raliya Abdulrahman, Zainab Ahmed, Zuwaira Idrisu, and Maryam A. Nura.

One survivor, Maimuna Isah, sustained severe injuries and is currently receiving treatment at Saho Rami Primary Health Care Center.

Confirming the incident, the Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Baba-Arah, attributed the disaster to the poor state of rural roads, which forced the tanker driver into a dangerous maneuver, resulting in the fuel spill and subsequent explosion.

Local authorities and emergency teams have since been deployed to assess the damage and support affected families.

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Callum Hudson-Odoi scored late in the second half to earn Nottingham Forest a crucial Premier League victory over fellow Champions League hopefuls Manchester City at the City Ground.

With seven minutes of an otherwise uneventful contest remaining, Hudson-Odoi collected a magnificent Morgan Gibbs-White pass in his stride before beating City goalkeeper Ederson at his near post to send the home fans into ecstasy.

In a game billed as crucial in the race to earn a spot in Europe’s premier club competition next season, City had the better opportunities before the interval but lacked the pace or ingenuity to breach the home side’s dogged defence.

A powerful Nico Gonzalez effort which flew narrowly wide of Matz Sels’ right-hand post was the high point of a drab first half, and there were few signs of improvement early in the second period despite Forest’s greater urgency.

After Nico Dominguez volleyed an Anthony Elanga cross straight at Ederson within seconds of the restart, Hudson-Odoi had a low effort tipped on to the post by the Brazilian midway through the second half.

Pep Guardiola introduced Kevin de Bruyne and Omar Marmoush with 20 minutes remaining but there was little in the way of goalmouth action in the latter stages until Hudson-Odoi’s moment of inspiration.

Guardiola and his players can have few complaints with the outcome as they slipped to a ninth league defeat of a tumultuous season – their joint-most in a single campaign under the Spaniard.

Third-placed Forest move four points clear of City, who stay fourth but could be overtaken by Chelsea if the Blues beat struggling Leicester City on Sunday.

(BBC)

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

US President Donald Trump’s prized Turnberry golf resort in Scotland has been vandalised by protesters who sprayed “GAZA IS NOT 4 SALE” in huge white letters on the lawn.

The activists also damaged greens and sprayed blood-red paint over the luxury resort’s clubhouse overnight on Saturday.

The Palestine Action group said it was a “direct response to the US administration’s stated intent to ethnically cleanse Gaza”.

Trump sparked outrage last month when he suggested the US “take over” Gaza and turn it into the “Riviera of the Middle East”, while forcing its Palestinian inhabitants to relocate to Egypt or Jordan.

The activists cited an AI-generated video the US president shared online last week, which showed the razed Palestinian territory rebuilt as a Trump-branded seaside resort.

One scene showed Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sipping cocktails in swimsuits by a pool.

Whilst Trump attempts to treat Gaza as his property, he should know his own property is within reach,” Palestine Action said on social media.

Police Scotland told AFP it was investigating after receiving a report of damage at around 0440 GMT on Saturday.

Last week, the United States said it had approved the sale of more than $3 billion in munitions, bulldozers and related equipment to Israel, which has used American-made weapons to devastating effect in Gaza.

The Turnberry property in southwest Scotland is one of two resorts that Trump owns in the country, his mother’s ancestral home.

A spokesman for Trump Turnberry said: “This was a childish, criminal act but the incredible team at Trump Turnberry will ensure it does not impact business.

“Turnberry is a national treasure and will continue to be the number one beacon of luxury and excellence in the world of golf.”

AFP