The Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State, Mr. Tunde Oladunjoye, has died.

Oladunjoye, who hailed from Ijebu-Itele in Ijebu East Local Government Area, reportedly passed away in the United Kingdom after a prolonged illness.

His family, in a statement announcing his passing, said: “It is with deep sorrow and total submission to the divine will of Almighty Allah that we announce the passing of our beloved father, husband, brother, and esteemed leader, Alhaji Abdulraheem Olatunde Ayinde Oladunjoye, who returned to his Lord on Friday, 4th April 2025.”

Funeral arrangements, the family added, will be announced in due course.

Reacting to the news, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, described Oladunjoye’s death as a devastating loss to the party and the state.

In an emotional tribute, the governor expressed disbelief and shock over the passing of the seasoned spokesman and government consultant, saying Oladunjoye was a dynamic and loyal politician who died in his prime.

He said: “Receiving the news of the departure of our gallant, highly resourceful, uncommonly cerebral and hard-working party spokesman and consultant, Tunde Oladunjoye, was devastating for me. This is tragic news that is frankly difficult to fathom.

“Oladunjoye never believed in half measures. He defended the programmes, policies, and image of the Ogun State government with uncommon dedication. He was an effective and accomplished spokesman whose brilliance was never in doubt.

“He was the voice of courage and easily the best spokesman Ogun APC has ever produced. His tenacity, doggedness, and loyalty were evident, and he contributed immensely to the growth of our party and the successes of this administration.”

Governor Abiodun also extended his condolences to Oladunjoye’s immediate family, the Ogun APC family, and his associates, describing him as “a good man who will be sorely missed.”

Before his role as the party’s spokesman, Oladunjoye served as Chairman of Ijebu East Local Government Area.

The Police in Benue State have rescued the kidnapped victims of the ambushed 18-seater Benue Links bus that was attacked Thursday evening by armed men at Ikobi community in Otukpo Local Government Area, LGA, of the state.

The Command, in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent, CSP, Catherine Anene, confirmed the rescue of 14 of the victims after an exchange of gunfire with the armed men.

Part of the statement read: “On April 3, 2025, at about 8:30 pm,  a Toyota Hiace bus of Benue Links transport company was conveying passengers from Makurdi to Otukpo, and on reaching Otukpo Burnt Bricks area, a gang of armed kidnappers shot sporadically at the driver and a passenger at the front seat, causing the driver to stop on the high way.

“Upon receipt of this information, the police, in collaboration with members of the Benue State Civil Protection Guard, swiftly moved to the scene and found the driver and one passenger who sustained gunshot injuries in the vehicle while the kidnappers whisked away others.

“The injured were conveyed to the hospital where they were confirmed dead by a doctor.

“The team launched a search for the kidnapped victims within the nearby forest immediately. On April 4, 2025, at about 3 pm, they sighted the bandits in the forest and engaged them in a gun duel. The superior firepower of the police subdued them, and they took to their heels, abandoning their captives.

“Unfortunately, they had inflicted matchet cuts on two of the victims before the rescue. Fourteen victims were rescued and taken to the hospital, where one was confirmed dead, and others are currently receiving treatment.

“The Commissioner of Police, Benue state command, Mr Steve Yabanet, commiserates with families of the three passengers that lost their lives in this dastardly incident and pledges his commitment to bring the perpetrators to book.

“He enjoins the good people of Otukpo to look out for suspects with gunshot injuries and report to the police as many of these bandits received gunshot injuries during the exchange of fire.”

London’s FTSE 100 plunged 4.95% on Thursday — its biggest daily fall since the March 2020 Covid lockdown — following Donald Trump’s sweeping new tariffs that have triggered global market turmoil.

Major UK firms bore the brunt, with Rolls-Royce shedding over 10% and miners like Antofagasta, Glencore, Fresnillo, and Anglo American down more than 8%. Banks also slid, with Barclays and NatWest both falling around 8%.

Markets across Europe and Asia also slumped for a second day. France’s CAC 40 dropped 0.92%, Germany’s DAX 0.74%, while Japan’s Nikkei 225 fell 4.3%. In the US, the S&P 500 and Nasdaq dropped over 4% and 5% respectively, wiping out £1.5 trillion in value.

Trump’s announcement of 10% tariffs on most US imports — and 25% on cars — has rattled investors.

“Trump has detonated the most aggressive trade shock the market has seen in decades,” said Stephen Innes of SPI Asset Management.

Olu Sonola of Fitch Ratings warned: “Many countries will likely end up in a recession.”

Despite market chaos, Trump remained bullish: “The markets are going to boom.” He also claimed UK Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer was “very happy” with the tariffs.

But Starmer responded: “Last night the President of the United States acted for his country, and that is his mandate. Today, I will act in Britain’s interests with mine.”

The UK government has set a May 1 deadline for public consultation on retaliatory tariffs and published a list of potential US goods to be targeted. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: “We do reserve the right to take any action we deem necessary if a deal is not secured.”

China has responded to the US move with 34% tariffs on American goods from April 10 and new export controls on rare-earth metals. Its Commerce Ministry said the goal is “to better safeguard national security and interests.”

The global sell-off reflects deepening fears of a full-blown trade war — and thousands of UK jobs, especially in the car industry, are believed to be at risk.