News
Explosion Pulls Down Kogi Dep Gov’s House
An early morning explosion which rocked a house in Dolphin Estate, Lagos, on Saturday has left, at least, six persons injured, including the wife of the Deputy Governor of Kogi State, Mrs Tokunbo Awoniyi.
The house is located at No. 19, HFP Way, Dolphin Estate, Ikoyi, and is said to belong to the Kogi State Deputy Governor, Mr Yomi Awoniyi.
The explosion, which occurred at about 9am, saw a lot of persons running for their lives, thinking it was a bomb blast.
The affected house is a twin duplex of four bedrooms. The explosion totally affected house No. 19, while the neighbouring house No. 20 was partially affected.
An eye witness said that neighbours heard the bang of the explosion in house No 19 around and a few minutes later, the building came down with a loud noise.
The witness alleged that dust from the collapsed building later covered the entire area, creating panic among the residents of the area who ran helter-skelter.
Policemen from both the Anti-Bomb Squad and the Disaster Management Unit of the Nigeria Police Force later moved to the site, and quickly combed the vicinity to ensure that there were no other explosive materials in the area.
Officials from the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and Federal Fire Service (FFS) were also on ground to carry out rescue work.
At least, four persons have so far been rescued from under the rubble of the collapsed house.
Though the identities of the victims could not be ascertained as at press time, but a source disclosed that one of them is Mrs Awoniyi.
The source also disclosed that a second victim was a driver attached to the Lagos residence of the Kogi State deputy governor, who was said to be washing his boss’ car at the time the house came down.
All four rescued persons were rushed to Saint Maria Hospital, Yaba, where they are currently being treated.
Meanwhile, security operatives have barred journalists from coming near the scene of the collapse building.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), South West Region, Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed that four persons had been rescued from the collapsed house by emergency workers.
He stated that “the building was affected by a gas cylinder explosion which occurred around.
“We were told that as at the time of the collapse, three occupants of the house where inside while a driver was washing a car outside. No death has been recorded so far, but the four injured victims have been evacuated to a nearby hospital,” he added.
He stated further that officials from the Lagos State Building Control Agency would soon move in to assess the damage, the integrity of property, and also decipher the reason for the collapse.
Some people living in the vicinity were seen moving out of the area.
Farinloye advised residents to go back to their respective houses, stressing that what happened was merely gas cylinder explosion and not bomb explosion as being feared by the people.
News
Be Patient With Us, Diri Tells Bayelsans … Inspects New 60mw IPP …Expresses Confidence In Technical Partners, BECL MD
The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene