Index to Nigerian Newspapers

The death toll from a devastating fuel tanker explosion in Niger State has risen to 98, with 69 people injured and 20 shops destroyed. In response to the disaster, the federal government transferred critically injured victims to advanced medical facilities in Abuja for better treatment, following directives from the president. Local hospitals in Suleja and Sabon-Wuse reported additional fatalities among those initially admitted for severe burns. State governors, northern leaders, and various organizations have expressed deep sorrow over the national tragedy, offering condolences to the bereaved families and urging the public to avoid dangerous behaviors like rushing toward accident scenes involving flammable materials. Leaders also emphasized the urgent need for stricter road safety measures and proactive government steps to prevent similar catastrophes in the future.

The Senate dismissed a sexual harassment petition filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, with the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions declaring it dead on arrival for violating Senate Standing Rules that prohibit a senator from self-submitting a petition and handling matters already before a court of law. Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who skipped the committee hearing after her legal team secured a Federal High Court interim injunction directing the National Assembly to show cause against the disciplinary proceedings, previously accused the Senate President of making sexual advances and conditioning legislative approvals on personal favors—allegations that Senator Akpabio strongly denied as false and baseless. Meanwhile, the political fallout drew mixed public reactions, featuring a peaceful protest by supporters demanding the Senate President's resignation alongside an open letter from the Kogi Central Concerned Stakeholders distancing themselves from the lawmaker's actions and criticizing the escalation of the dispute.

Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum and the federal government have publicly disagreed over a resurgence of violent attacks by Boko Haram insurgents. During a security meeting in Maiduguri, Governor Zulum warned that the state is losing ground due to continuous killings, abductions, and the dislodgment of military bases by terrorists. In response, the federal government through the Minister of Information and National Orientation maintained that security agencies are working tirelessly around the clock and that massive investments in military hardware are successfully returning the nation to normalcy. Military authorities echoed these assurances, stating the heavy sacrifices made by troops on the front lines and urging public support, while security experts and traditional leaders emphasized the urgent need for enhanced border security and decisive action against the renewed insurgency.