Seventeen passengers have lost their lives in a road accident in Zamfara State.

The passengers died when a commercial bus conveying a bride and other wedding guests plunged into a river while attempting to cross a broken bridge between Gwalli village and Gummi town.

On Saturday, the victims were travelling from Fass village in Gummi Local Government Area to Kebbi State to hand over the bride to her husband after the wedding Fatiha.

Eyewitness said the driver, unfamiliar with the terrain, attempted to navigate the damaged bridge, which had been temporarily patched with sandbags and stones by villagers.

The bus slipped off the makeshift passage and overturned into the river, leading to the drowning of the passengers.

Seventeen bodies have so far been recovered, while two persons remain missing.

The bride and a few passengers who had stepped out of the bus before the incident survived.

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Confirming the tragedy, the Zamfara State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) reported that 17 people, mostly women, died in the crash.

In a statement, the FRSC Public Education Officer, SRC Isah Aliyu, explained that the accident occurred along Gwalli Road after a bridge that collapsed earlier in the week gave way.

He noted that residents had tried to create a makeshift passage with sandbags to enable motorists to cross, but the effort failed, leading to the disaster.

The FRSC Zamfara Sector Commander, Aliyu Ma’aji, advised motorists to avoid night travel, desist from overloading, and always seek updated information on road conditions before embarking on any journey.

The Ogun State Government has issued a flood alert, advising residents of riverine and coastal communities throughout the state to evacuate to safer areas between the last week of September and the second week of October in order to mitigate the risks associated with severe flooding events.

Areas particularly vulnerable include communities along the Ogun, Ilo, Iju, Owa, and Yemule Rivers, specifically Isheri, Warewa, Akute, segments of Abeokuta, Ayetoro, Itele, and Iju, as well as coastal regions such as Makun, Oni, Iwopin, Igele, Ifaara in Ogun Waterside, Ebute-Imobi in Ijebu East, Tungeji Island, and Agosasa in Ipokia Local Government Area.

This advisory was articulated in the 2025 Ogun State Midterm Flood Alert Press Statement, which was disseminated on Sunday by the Commissioner for Environment, Dr. Ola Oresanya.

Dr. Oresanya indicated that the anticipated flooding is attributable to multiple factors, including river overflow, rising sea levels, tidal locking, intense precipitation, water inflows from the northern regions of Nigeria and the Benin Republic, as well as potential water releases from the Oyan Dam.

“The overflow, which usually lasts for two weeks, is part of the second phase of flooding that occurs every year between September and November,” Oresanya said.

Citing projections from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Oresanya disclosed that September will witness the highest rainfall with 204mm, followed by October with 190mm, before a decline to 93mm in November.

To mitigate the impact, he assured residents that the State Emergency Management Agency is on red alert for emergency evacuation and relocation to temporary camps. He added that the Ministry of Environment is working closely with the Ogun-Osun River Basin Development Authority to manage water releases from Oyan Dam.

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The commissioner also cautioned residents in flood-prone areas against using boreholes and wells during this period, warning that water sources are likely to be contaminated.

Fish farmers across the state were advised to urgently harvest their stock to prevent losses, particularly those farming along floodplains in Eriwe, Yemule (Ijebu-Ode), Ilase, and Ayegbami in Yewa.

“Fish farmers must not delay in harvesting to avert their investments being washed away. Likewise, residents should avoid consumption of contaminated water as tidal variations will worsen water quality,” he warned.

Oresanya thanked residents for cooperating with the government on environmental issues, noting that such cooperation in the past six years had helped reduce flooding and its impact statewide.

He pledged the government’s continued commitment to safeguarding lives and property.

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Residents of Lakowe’s Orita Adeba and Sangotedo communities expressed heightened concern on Saturday following the occurrence of suspected cult-related clashes that resulted in the brutal killings of two young men in separate incidents that are believed to be acts of retaliation.

According to a report by PUNCH Metro published on Sunday, these incidents represent a continuation of a troubling trend of cult-related violence that has claimed numerous lives throughout Lagos State in recent weeks.

A resident, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the situation, reported that one of the victims was attacked with machetes and subsequently left abandoned by the roadside. Furthermore, the assailants reportedly severed the victim’s right wrist and took it with them.

He said, “It is true. It happened yesterday. They left the body at Orita Adeba, opposite the Lakowe Bus Stop. We can no longer sleep at night.

“We learnt that he was killed by the Aye cult group. His wrist was totally cut off. They have been killing each other to count scores for a few weeks now.”

A short video seen by PUNCH Metro showed the deceased, dressed in brown shorts and a white vest, with dreadlocks, lying face-up in a pool of blood as residents and mourners gathered around, lamenting and taking pictures.

Another resident, identified simply as Fatai, lamented that killings had become frequent in Ibeju-Lekki.

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He said, “They just started killing each other. Just three days ago, my neighbour was telling me that someone was also butchered in the same Lakowe.

“It’s over three incidents now within a short time. The boy who was killed is believed to be a cult member also. They are using their lives to count scores.”

While residents linked the Lakowe killing to cult violence, another young man was also found dead by a culvert in the Sangotedo area.

Though the motive was yet to be confirmed, a video shared by the Naija Confra Telegram page showed the victim in a white singlet and black trousers lying lifeless by the roadside.

A senior police officer who spoke with PUNCH Metro on Sunday said he would provide details of the incidents later in the evening.

However, no official response had been received as of the time this report was filed.

Last week, PUNCH Metro reported a similar cult-related clash in Ibeju-Lekki, where two people were killed.

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Images from that incident showed one of the victims with deep machete cuts to the face and severe injuries to the wrist, his body sprawled beside a blood-drenched motorcycle.

The Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, has cleared the air on the ongoing debate surrounding the Olomoro–Igbide Road, following reports suggesting that the project was a Federal Government intervention under the National Directorate of Employment (NDE).

Aniagwu, in a statement on Friday, said contrary to claims circulating on social media, the project was neither conceived nor funded by the Federal Government but was duly approved and executed by the Delta State Government under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

He explained that the State Executive Council approved the construction of the Olomoro–Igbide Road in August 2024 as part of Governor Oborevwori’s MORE Agenda on rural infrastructure, and the site was handed over to Lebtech Construction on November 24, 2024.

According to him, the project has since been fully funded by the state government, completed to specification, and now awaits formal inauguration.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the Olomoro–Igbide Road is a Delta State Government project. It was approved by the State Executive Council on August, 2024, under the leadership of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

“The state government provided full funding, and the project has been delivered to the people of Olomoro and Igbide communities in line with specifications,” Aniagwu stated.

The Commissioner recalled several supervisory visits he personally undertook to the project site, including joint inspections with Governor Oborevwori and the State Commissioner for Lands, Surveys and Urban Development, Chief Emamusi Obiodeh, an illustrious son of Igbide Kingdom.

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“I personally supervised the project at different stages of construction to ensure standards were upheld. On different occasion, His Excellency, Governor Oborevwori, and the Deputy Governor, Sir Monday Onyeme led members of the state’s project monitoring committee on inspection to ascertain progressive milestones on the Olomoro-Igbide road project”.

“We saw firsthand the quality of work delivered, and I can confidently say this is a state-driven project ready for inauguration,” he added.

Aniagwu was reacting to a report by Tracka, a civic group known for monitoring projects nationwide, which had in a recent Facebook post claimed to be tracking the Olomoro project as a federally funded intervention under the NDE.

The group also alleged that while the Olomoro–Igbide stretch had been asphalted, drainage works were yet to be completed at the Olomoro end.

While commending Tracka for its efforts in promoting accountability, the Commissioner urged the organization to verify facts more diligently before publication to avoid misinforming the public.

“We appreciate Tracka’s role in tracking projects across Nigeria, but in this case, their claim was misleading. The Olomoro–Igbide Road has nothing to do with the Federal Government or the NDE.

“It is purely a Delta State Government initiative under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori. Going forward, I urge them to exercise greater caution and courtesy in their reporting so that citizens are not misled,” he cautioned.

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Aniagwu reassured residents of Olomoro and Igbide that the road, which has been fully delivered, will soon be inaugurated even as road users are already enjoying smoother motoring on the road.

The Olomoro-Igbide road and many of such across the state are part of the state government’s ongoing commitment to rural development and inclusive infrastructure growth.

The Trans-African Youth Development Initiative (TAYI), has conferred the Nelson Mandela “Africa Patriot Award of Excellence” on Delta State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze for his visionary leadership and contributions to nation building.

The award, which recognizes Izeze as an African Patriotic Leader, was presented in Asaba on Monday.

The group described the commissioner as a “golden fish with no hidden habitat,” whose visionary leadership and commitment to humanity have distinguished him among African public office holders.

In his address, TAYI’s country representative in Nigeria, Amb. Bakare Luqman, said the organization, which represents the voices of 1.2 billion young people in the Commonwealth, closely monitors the contributions of public office holders and honors those who positively impact their communities.

He praised Izeze’s role in ensuring adequate security, promoting community development, upholding the rule of law, advancing education, empowering youths, and fostering religious tolerance.

“Sir, you have demonstrated indelible commitment to the transformation of good governance in Nigeria through your office and selfless service to humanity,” Luqman said, noting that Izeze’s work aligns with the development agenda of President Bola Tinubu and Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.

He added that Izeze’s dedication to youth emancipation and nation-building has earned him respect across Africa. “Indeed, the recipient has won the heart of African youths by his conduct and credentials as a distinguished leader, dogged fighter, bastion of hope and a statesman par excellence,” Luqman stated.

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The ceremony also served as a platform for TAYI to highlight its forthcoming continental conference themed “A Holistic Approach to Quality Assurance in African Higher Educational Institutions, Pragmatic Interventions by Supply and Demand Actors.”

The summit, scheduled for September 11–13 in Kigali, Rwanda, will bring together stakeholders from across Africa to chart pathways for educational development.

TAYI further called on governments, entrepreneurs, and public office holders to support its initiatives aimed at youth empowerment, skills development, and peacebuilding.

Concluding the ceremony, Luqman expressed hope that the recognition bestowed on Izeze would inspire other leaders to emulate his people-centered approach to governance and national development.

Responding, Comrade Izeze expressed deep gratitude for the recognition, dedicating the award to God, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, and the supportive people of Delta State.

He described the honor as both humbling and inspiring, noting that it would serve as a call to even greater service. “This award is not just about me; it is about the vision we share as a people, that governance must be about the people, their well-being, and their future,” Izeze said.

The commissioner praised TAYI for its steadfast commitment to youth development across the continent, commending its programs that tackle social ills, promote education, and empower young people with leadership and entrepreneurial skills.

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“This recognition is a reminder that the work we do in public office is constantly being observed, measured, and evaluated. It challenges me to redouble my efforts in ensuring that our roads and infrastructure projects translate to real opportunities for our people, particularly the youths who are the heartbeat of our nation,” he added.

Izeze further assured that he would continue to work in alignment with the MORE Agenda of Governor Oborevwori, which emphasizes meaningful development, opportunities for all, realistic reforms, and enhanced peace and security.

He called on Nigerian youths to remain committed to the values of patriotism, integrity, and hard work, urging them to see themselves as partners in nation-building.

“The future of Africa lies in the hands of its young people. If we channel our energy positively, there is no limit to what we can achieve as a continent,” he said.

The commissioner concluded by dedicating the award to God, Governor Oborevwori and all Deltans whose resilience, faith, and support make the work of governance not only possible but impactful,” assuring them that the recognition would only strengthen his resolve to deliver on his mandate.

Delta State Commissioner for Works (Highways and Urban Roads), Comrade Reuben Izeze, has paid glowing tribute to the late former President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Moses Oisakede, on the 26th anniversary of his passing.

Oisakede, who died on September 1, 1999, was remembered by Izeze as “a rare breed of student leader whose life of service was marked by courage, integrity, and an unyielding commitment to the welfare of his fellow students.”

Recalling Oisakede’s 1997 handover speech as Students’ Union President of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Izeze noted that the late activist stood out as the only union leader who boldly invited a probe of his own administration, leaving behind a financial surplus and disciplining corrupt executives.

“His moral courage and transparency remain exemplary to this day,” he said.

The Commissioner described Oisakede as a visionary who championed affordable education, resisted exploitative practices, improved students’ accommodation and welfare, advanced transportation options, and ensured uninterrupted academic calendars through constructive, non-violent resistance.

He also recalled Oisakede’s role in hosting the 14th NANS Convention and honouring fallen comrades with monuments.

Izeze, who was an acolyte of Oisakede during their NANS years, disclosed that he and other friends remained close to the late leader’s family in Otuo, Edo State, ensuring that his mother has never lacked care since his passing.

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“Twenty-six years after his death, Moses Oisakede remains not just a leader of his time but a timeless symbol of selfless service, visionary unionism, and ethical leadership.

“His memory will forever inspire generations of Nigerian students and leaders to come,” Izeze declared.