
News
How auto crash killed 8 family members on Kaduna-Zaria highway
A tragic accident on the Kaduna-Zaria highway on Monday evening, has left eight members of a single family dead and two others battling for their lives in the hospital, after a speeding vehicle lost control and rammed into pedestrians waiting by the roadside.
The heartbreaking incident occurred at about 6 p.m. in the Barakallahu area, along Kaduna-Zaria highway, during the Eid-el-Kabir festivities.
Among the victims were women and children who had gathered at the roadside after visiting their grandmother’s house for the holiday.
The vehicle, an ash-coloured Mercedes GLK Jeep, was reportedly being driven by a boy from the Rigachikun community, who fled the scene immediately after the crash.
“We lost eight members of our family that evening,” said Mallam Jamilu Usman Mai Yadi, a grieving father and husband who resides in Sabon Gari, Tudun Wada. “My wife, Khadija Umar, my two children – Sadiq, 16, and Muhammad, 9, her younger and elder sisters, and their aunt all died. In total, ten members of my family were hit; eight died and two are still in the hospital.”

Mai Yadi said the victims were standing by the roadside, hoping to catch a ride home, when the vehicle suddenly veered off the road and plowed into them.
“The driver must have been speeding because my wife’s leg was broken beyond repair. Sadiq’s body was only brought back to us later by Road Safety officials,” he said with visible anguish.
Among the dead was Zainab Muhammad, who was eight months pregnant with twins. Her husband, Sulaiman Abdulkadir Mai Shinkafa, a cleric from Hayin Rigasa, described the aftermath of the accident in harrowing detail.
“She was due to give birth very soon. All the baby items were ready. We even named the unborn twins Hassan and Hussaini. Our 6-year-old son Khalid was also hit,” he told reporters. “Her body was crushed. My son’s bones were shattered. We had to use planks to gather their remains before burial. It’s something no family should ever witness.”
Mai Shinkafa, like other grieving relatives, expressed deep disappointment over what they described as government and community neglect.
“No one from the boy’s family whose father was a prominent politician in the community or from the Kaduna State government has come to condole with us. Not even a word,” he lamented. “Even the father of the driver didn’t show up. It’s as though our lives don’t matter.”
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) confirmed the accident, attributing it to over-speeding and loss of control on a rain-soaked road.
Sector Commander of the Kaduna Road Safety Corps, Tijjani Iliyasu, gave details of the response.
“What happened is that the driver lost control of the vehicle. It was raining heavily, and the road was slippery. From our assessment, he was over-speeding and rammed into people standing by the roadside.
“Six people died on the spot. We immediately rescued the injured and rushed them to the hospital. By the time we arrived, the driver and others inside the vehicle had fled. They used the cover of night to abandon the vehicle. We don’t know who exactly was driving,” he said.
He added that the case has been transferred to the Nigerian Police for further investigation.
“As of now, the vehicle has been handed over to the police, and they should be able to trace the owner,” Iliyasu noted. “Our focus at the scene was to save lives, and we did just that.”
Kaduna gov’t, police silent
However, the Kaduna State Police Command has remained silent on the matter. Repeated attempts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, were unsuccessful as his phone line was not reachable at the time of filing this report.
No official statement has been issued since the crash occurred on Monday from the state government also.
Residents react
Community members have joined the bereaved families in calling for swift justice and government intervention.
A Barakallahu resident and a community leader Imam Rabiu prayed to Allah to forgive those that died during the incident.
“The whole community was shattered by the incident. That night the whole town was quiet because it was a terrible incident for 8 family members to die at once. May Allah forgive them,” he said.
Adam, a resident of Barakallahu, also described the incident as terrible and painful.
“It was a terrible incident because many lives were lost,” he simply said.
For now, Mai Yadi says the family is left to mourn in silence. “We’ve buried our loved ones. We’ve said our prayers. But the pain remains. The least we expect is empathy from those in power and those responsible,” he said. (Daily Trust)
News
Soldier declared wanted over terrorism
The Headquarters Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps (NAOC) has declared one of its personnel wanted over his alleged involvement in the illegal sale and supply of military uniforms to terrorists and other criminal elements.
It said that preliminary investigations indicated that the soldier, who was serving at the Nigerian Army Ordnance Kits Factory, absconded from his unit on June 3, 2026.
“The Headquarters Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps (NAOC) has declared one of its personnel, Private Mohammed Yusuf Amutu, wanted over his alleged involvement in the illegal sale and supply of military uniforms to terrorists and other criminal elements,” it said in a statement by Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Major Oluwatope Aluko, on Thursday.
It said that intensive efforts are underway to locate and apprehend him to face a full investigation and appropriate disciplinary action in accordance with extant military laws.
“The Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps wishes to state unequivocally that it has zero tolerance for misconduct, indiscipline, or any act capable of compromising the operational effectiveness, integrity and reputation of the Nigerian Army or threatening national security,” it added.

The military authorities said any personnel found to have aided terrorists, criminals or other non-state actors through the unauthorised sale, diversion or distribution of military uniforms, accoutrements or other controlled items would be subjected to the full weight of military and civil laws.
The Corps, therefore, appealed to members of the public to support ongoing efforts by providing credible information that could lead to the arrest of the wanted soldier.
It noted that such information should be reported immediately to the nearest military formation or any security agency.
“The Headquarters Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps reassures Nigerians of its unwavering commitment to accountability, professionalism and the protection of military assets.
“The Corps will continue to strengthen internal control measures and ensure that every allegation of misconduct is thoroughly investigated while those found culpable are held fully accountable,” it added. (Channels TV)
News
Mbah reacts to Enugu Air runway incident, declares Safety Non-Negotiable
The Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has reacted to Thursday’s runway incident involving the state-owned airline, Enugu Air, at Benin Airport, empathizing with the passengers and crew members over the traumatic experience.
Mbah, in a statement he personally signed, commended the aviation authorities for immediately initiating an investigation into the incident, saying that, for Enugu Air, safety remained non-negotiable.
In the statement made available to newsmen on Friday, the governor said, “The Enugu State Government is aware of the runway excursion incident affecting Enugu Air, Embraer E170, Flight 4264, operating until the Benin Airport from Lagos on Thursday, July 23, 2026.
“The government empathizes with the 63 passengers and five crew members on board the aircraft over the traumatic experience and is thankful to God that no life was lost and no injuries have so far been reported.
“The government commends the swiftness of the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) in embarking on the ongoing investigation to determine the circumstances and factors that may have led to the incident. The government will ensure the full cooperation of its going concern, Enugu Air, with the investigation and regulatory authorities.

“While the outcome of the investigation is awaited, the government assures the public that the operations of Enugu Air are guided by the highest safety standards. The airline is founded on a corporate culture that places safety above profit and schedule, and its quality assurance and quality control systems stipulate a safety threshold that is considerably higher than the industry benchmark.
“This accounts for the growing confidence and patronage the airline has continued to enjoy from both passengers and industry stakeholders. Enugu Air will therefore continue to serve its teeming customers and abide by its utmost commitment to safety, professionalism, and a sense of hospitality.”
He thanked Nigerians for their support following the incident, as many continued to relive their pleasurable experiences flying the airline.
“The Enugu State Government wishes to express its profound gratitude to Nigerians for the outpouring of solidarity since the unfortunate incident. Quite uncommonly, Nigerians have continued to share their positive experiences with Enugu Air since it was launched a year ago. This matters so much to us as a government at this time,” he concluded.
News
Pastor found dead inside church
A pastor of the Power in the Word of God for the World Ministry has been found dead inside his church in Oron Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, with the circumstances surrounding his death still unknown.
The incident happened on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at the church located on Etim Inyang Street in Oron.
The discovery of the pastor’s body has caused concern among residents, while many people in the area have been discussing different claims about what may have happened.
Some residents believe the pastor may have taken his own life. However, there has been no official confirmation from the police, and the reports circulating on social media remain unverified.
Videos shared online showed people believed to be members of the church carrying the pastor’s body out of the building.

Another video showed the body, wrapped in cloth, inside a police pickup van belonging to the Oron Area Command.
As of the time of reporting, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command had not released an official statement explaining the cause of the pastor’s death or the outcome of any investigation.
Efforts by Premium Times to get a response from the police were unsuccessful, as the spokesperson for the command, Timfon John, did not answer phone calls or reply to text messages seeking comments on the incident.
Authorities are expected to investigate the case to determine the exact cause of the pastor’s death.
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