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The Senate on Tuesday warned that Nigeria could review its diplomatic relations with South Africa if renewed xenophobic attacks against Nigerians continue, as lawmakers condemned the reported targeting of Nigerian citizens and businesses. The resolution followed a motion sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpeyong, who drew the attention of the Red Chamber to the June 30, 2026, ultimatum allegedly issued to Nigerians residing in South Africa, describing it as a grave threat to their safety and livelihoods. The development comes amid renewed concerns over recurring xenophobic attacks in South Africa, which have over the years claimed the lives of several Nigerians, destroyed businesses and repeatedly strained diplomatic relations between both countries. During plenary, senators called on the Federal Government to secure firm guarantees from the South African authorities for the protection of Nigerians while urging decisive diplomatic engagement to prevent a recurrence. tcrezxSpeaking during the debate, Senator Salihu Mustapha (Kwara Central) urged the Federal Government to adopt a tougher position. He said, “We cannot continue to fold our arms while Nigerians are being killed and their businesses looted. “This is the starting point for a very robust engagement. I suggest we sever all diplomatic relations with South Africa.” However, the Senate opted for a more cautious approach after former Senate Leader, Senator Yahaya Abdullahi, warned that the attacks could be part of a wider political agenda aimed at destabilising the South African government. Recalling his involvement with Nigeria’s National Committee Against Apartheid and support for liberation movements, including the African National Congress, SWAPO and FRELIMO, Abdullahi argued that the situation should not be viewed in isolation. “This is a coordinated effort to destabilise the government of South Africa and to remove the ruling party, the ANC, from office. “There is an attempt from the right wing of the white South Africans and now coming up from the black ones to delegitimise the government as quickly as possible. We should tread with great caution and carefully consider this conspiracy,” he said. The lawmaker also lamented the poor funding of Nigeria’s foreign missions, saying it had weakened the country’s ability to adequately protect Nigerians abroad. Following extensive deliberations, the Senate adopted four resolutions directing the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian High Commission in South Africa, to obtain written assurances from the South African government on the safety of Nigerians and to demand the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the attacks. The Senate also directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission and the Nigerian High Commission to compile a comprehensive record of Nigerians who suffered death, injury, displacement, unlawful detention or loss of property with a view to pursuing legal redress and compensation. Lawmakers further urged the Federal Government to work with other affected African countries and the African Union to establish an early warning and accountability mechanism to prevent future xenophobic attacks across the continent. In addition, the Senate mandated its Committees on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Affairs to review the implementation of its May 5, 2026, resolution on xenophobic attacks, as well as previous bilateral agreements between Nigeria and South Africa, and report back within two legislative weeks. The debate became more heated when Senator Abdul Ningi proposed that President Bola Tinubu should begin the process of severing diplomatic relations with South Africa if the attacks persist. Similarly, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (Edo North) suggested that Nigeria should appropriate the profits of South African companies operating in the country, including financial institutions, and channel the funds towards compensating Nigerian victims of xenophobic attacks. “We can’t allow our people to suffer while South African investment and profit are being taken away here,” Oshiomhole argued. “The facts are self-evident. We don’t need further investigation.” However, Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau, who presided over the session, urged restraint and persuaded both senators to withdraw their proposals pending the outcome of the committee’s investigation. “Let the Committee on Foreign Affairs investigate first,” Barau said. “Nigeria leads Africa. We need to lead by example. Once we have well-informed facts, we can take action. If this report is not satisfactory to this chamber, then we take the line you were taking.” Ningi subsequently agreed to step down his motion but insisted that it should be officially recorded that he had moved it and that it was duly seconded. Lawmakers also reflected on Nigeria’s historic role in the anti-apartheid struggle, stressing that while the country remains committed to supporting democracy and stability in South Africa, it must also ensure the safety and protection of Nigerians living and working there. The matter was subsequently referred to the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs for further investigation, with a mandate to submit its report within two weeks.

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FRSC blames speeding as 32 killed in Kwara, Kogi, Ogun crashes July 7, 2026 12:54 am FRSC blames speeding as 32 killed in Kwara, Kogi, Ogun crashes One of the accident scene. Photo: FRSC Toheeb Omotayo, Gbenga Odogun and Bankole Taiwo No fewer than 32 people were killed and several others injured in separate road crashes across Kwara, Kogi and Ogun states, with the Federal Road Safety Corps attributing the tragedies to driver fatigue, excessive speeding, wrongful overtaking and other traffic violations. PUNCH Metro gathered that 15 persons were killed, while 17 others sustained varying degrees of injuries after a lone trailer crash along the Ogbomoso-Oko Olowo section of the Ilorin-Jebba Expressway in Kwara State. The fatal accident occurred in the early hours of Monday at the Muslim Cemetery area, Oko Olowo, in the Moro Local Government Area of the state. According to the Federal Road Safety Corps, the crash happened at about 2:32 a.m. and involved a DAF XF trailer with registration number GWL 274 XC. So This Happened (EP 409) reviews: FG extends NYSC orientation camp to six weeks0:00 / 0:00 The FRSC disclosed that a total of 48 male occupants were involved in the accident, out of which 15 died at the scene and 17 sustained injuries, while 16 escaped unhurt. The corps attributed the crash to driver fatigue, noting that victims suffered injuries including fractures, dislocations and bruises. Confirming the incident, the Kwara State Sector Commander of the FRSC, Kabiru Kazeem, identified the driver of the trailer as Nasiru Muhammed. He stated, “The crash occurred at about 2:32 a.m. at the Muslim Cemetery area along the Ogbomoso-Oko Olowo route. It was a lone crash involving a DAF XF trailer with registration number GWL 274 XC. “A total of 48 male occupants were involved in the crash. Fifteen persons lost their lives, 17 sustained varying degrees of injuries, while 16 others came out unhurt.” Kazeem attributed the accident to fatigue on the part of the driver. “Our preliminary investigation indicates that fatigue was responsible for the crash. The injured victims sustained fractures, dislocations and bruises,” he noted. The sector commander disclosed that the injured victims were evacuated to Arewa Medical Centre and Baki Hospital for treatment. “The injured have been taken to Arewa Medical Centre and Baki Hospital for medical attention, while the corpses have been handed over to the representatives of the affected families and the Sarkin Hausawa of Oko Olowo,” he added. Kazeem further revealed that rescue efforts were still ongoing, as emergency responders continued the search for possible victims trapped beneath the trailer’s load. Discover more Latest news updates Top news summaries Campaigns & Elections “The search for more victims who may still be buried under the load is ongoing. The rescue operation is being carried out jointly by personnel of RS8.15 Oloru and RS8.1 Kwara, Oko Olowo Outpost,” he added. He stated that the command would intensify public enlightenment campaigns through town hall meetings with relevant stakeholders to promote safer road use. Kazeem also advised motorists to avoid mixed loading of passengers and goods, as well as night travel, stressing that such practices significantly increase the risk of fatal road crashes. In a separate road crash, the Kogi State FRSC also confirmed the death of seven persons in a tragic road accident along the Okene–Osara–Lokoja Highway. It was gathered that the crash occurred when a commercial Siena bus reportedly rammed into a stationary heavy-duty truck undergoing repairs in Osara. PUNCH Metro learnt that seven people lost their lives, while three others sustained varying degrees of injuries. Speaking to journalists in Lokoja on Monday, the state Sector Commander of the FRSC, Lawal Fagge, said the ill-fated bus departed Auchi in Edo State and was heading to Abuja, carrying passengers travelling to different destinations, including Abaji in the Federal Capital Territory. Related News Police impound 25 vehicles, prosecute offenders in Cross River Ogun records 161 deaths from 415 road crashes — FRSC Police impound 81 vehicles over covered, defaced number plates in Kano He attributed the crash to excessive speeding, driver fatigue, and a burst tyre. According to Fagge, six passengers in the Siena bus died at the scene, while the motor boy of the parked truck also lost his life. The deceased have been deposited at the morgue, while the three injured victims were rescued by FRSC personnel and taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. “The fatal crash occurred along the Okene–Osara–Lokoja Road. The Siena bus carrying passengers from Auchi to Abuja suffered a tyre burst due to excessive speeding before crashing into a stationary truck undergoing repairs. Six occupants of the bus and the truck’s motor boy died, while three others sustained injuries. Our rescue team responded immediately and evacuated the injured to a nearby hospital for medical attention,” Fagge said. The FRSC Sector Commander urged motorists to avoid excessive speeding, ensure their vehicles are roadworthy, remain alert behind the wheel, and exercise caution around broken-down or stationary vehicles to reduce avoidable crashes. The latest tragedy has once again raised concerns over road safety along the busy Okene–Lokoja corridor, a major highway linking southern and northern Nigeria. Discover more Newspaper archive access Newspaper subscription Politics (Right) The route has witnessed several fatal accidents in recent years, prompting renewed calls for stricter adherence to traffic regulations and enhanced road safety measures. Meanwhile, ten additional persons were also confirmed dead and six others injured in a fatal road traffic crash that occurred on Sunday night at about 8:05 p.m. at Saapade Bridge along the Ibadan–Lagos Expressway. The crash involved a white Sinotruk (CNHTC) truck and a white Toyota Hiace bus with registration number EKY 290 YM. The spokesman for the Ogun FRSC Sector Command, Superintendent Route Commander Afolabi Odunsi, in a statement issued on Sunday, disclosed that 18 people were involved in the crash, comprising 15 adult males, two adult females and one male child. According to the statement, 10 persons — nine adult males and one male child — died in the crash, while six others, including four adult males and two adult females, sustained varying degrees of injuries. Two adult males escaped unhurt. The FRSC attributed the crash to a combination of speeding, wrongful overtaking and dangerous driving. Odunsi said that “A total of 18 persons were involved in the crash, comprising 15 adult males, 2 adult females and 1 male child. Sadly, 10 persons lost their lives, comprising 9 adult males and 1 male child, while 6 persons (4 adult males and 2 adult females) sustained varying degrees of injuries. Two adult males escaped unhurt. “Preliminary investigation revealed that the crash was caused by speed violation, wrongful overtaking and dangerous driving. “The truck driver reportedly reversed on the highway after missing his direction, while the approaching bus, travelling at high speed, attempted to navigate through the limited space available and rammed into the truck.” He added that the FRSC rescue operatives arrived promptly at the scene and evacuated the injured victims to Victory Hospital, Ogere, for medical treatment, while the deceased were deposited at FOS Mortuary, Ipara. Odunsi said that the personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Ishara Division, have taken custody of the crashed vehicles, while arrangements have been made for their evacuation. The crash has been cleared, and traffic is flowing freely. Meanwhile, the Sector Commander, Corps Commander Oludare Ogunjobi, has commiserated with the families of the deceased and wishes the injured a speedy recovery. Ogunjobi strongly warned motorists, particularly commercial drivers and truck operators, against reversing on highways, excessive speeding, dangerous driving and other traffic violations that endanger lives. The Sector Commander reiterated that road users should always obey traffic rules, maintain safe speeds and use designated turning points whenever they miss their routes, adding that these simple precautions can prevent needless loss of lives on our highways. Discover more TV & Video advertising Nigerian news coverage Kindly share this story: All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH. Contact: theeditor@punchng.com

Akpabio Swears In Lalong

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Senate president, Godswill Akpabio, on Wednesday, December 20, swore in former governor of Plateau state…

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