The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Joseph Utsev, made this known during the public presentation of the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency held at the State Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Utsev said a total of 14,118 communities in 266 LGAs across the affected states and the FCT had been identified as highly vulnerable to flooding.

He listed the states as Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara, and the FCT.

The minister added that 405 LGAs in 35 states fall within the moderate flood-risk category, with Ekiti State as the only state not captured under this classification.
He further noted that 923 communities in 77 LGAs across 24 states would experience minimal flooding.

“Low flood risk incidences are expected in Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Sokoto, Taraba, and Zamfara,” Utsev said.

The minister also disclosed that the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook introduced a community-based flood forecasting system designed to provide location-specific predictions for faster response and intervention.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening emergency response systems and promoting sustainable development nationwide.

Represented by the Minister of Environment, Balarabe Lawal, the President said the government had reviewed existing challenges and acknowledged the critical role of rescue teams in mitigating disasters.

He noted that efforts were ongoing to enhance the capacity and coordination of relevant ministries for more effective and timely emergency responses.
Tinubu stressed that improved communication, strategic planning, and collaboration remained vital to addressing emerging challenges and ensuring better service delivery.

The President added that with strengthened systems in place, the government was confident of mitigating risks and improving outcomes for citizens.

The event, themed ‘Smart Water Resources Management: Moving From Oil To A Water-Based Economy’, was attended by ministers and key stakeholders in the water and environmental sectors.

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It was gathered that three suspects armed with pump-action rifles and cutlasses invaded the facility after arriving in a black Toyota Venza, which they parked along the main road. The assailants reportedly scaled the perimeter fence to gain access to the premises.

During the attack, three health workers on duty were forcefully dispossessed of their personal belongings, including mobile phones and a Point of Sale terminal. The suspects subsequently whisked the victims away towards the Olokuta Correctional Centre axis along Ondo Road.

The spokesperson for the Ondo State Police Command, DSP Abayomi Jimoh, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Saturday.

According to him, “Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspects ordered them to remove their clothing and subsequently abandoned them in the bush before fleeing the scene. The victims, however, found resort from nearby staff of the Correctional Service.”

Jimoh disclosed that security patrols had been intensified, while collaboration with other security agencies and local vigilante groups had been strengthened to enhance safety across the state.

He urged residents to remain calm, vigilant and law-abiding, adding that members of the public should promptly report suspicious activities or useful information to the nearest police station or other security agencies.

The police spokesman assured residents that the command remained committed to safeguarding lives and property and would not relent in efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.

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The incident reportedly occurred around 8:45 p.m., when the gunmen invaded the residence and attempted to whisk away the farmer’s wife.

Sources said Adesida sustained a gunshot injury to his right hand while trying to resist the attackers, who eventually escaped with his wife.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ondo State Command, Abayomi Jimoh, said police operatives swiftly responded after receiving a distress call.

According to him, officers mobilised to the scene, rescued the injured victim and ensured he received medical attention.

“Upon receiving the distress call, police operatives swiftly mobilised to the scene, ensured the injured victim was rescued and taken to the police clinic for medical attention, and secured the area,” Jimoh said.

He added that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Adebowale Lawal, had ordered an immediate manhunt for the fleeing suspects.

“The Commissioner of Police has ordered intensified patrols, bush combing operations and intelligence gathering within the affected area and adjoining communities with a view to apprehending the fleeing suspects,” he stated.

Jimoh assured residents that efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted woman and bring the perpetrators to justice.

He also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements or individuals to the nearest police station.

The post Gunmen Shoot Farmer, Abduct Wife in Akure first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

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The victims were said to be staff of a concrete block industry owned by Prince Jelili Oyetunde, located within the council area.

Sources told our correspondent that the workers — identified as Adekola Muidini Asanti, Yinka and Saheed — were kidnapped at gunpoint inside a nearby canteen where they had gone to take breakfast before resuming work for the day.

Speaking with journalists on Saturday, the factory owner, Prince Oyetunde, said Closed Circuit Television footage captured the moment the assailants carried out the abduction.

He alleged that the suspected abductors are Baale Alimi Yusuf, Tunde Lawal, Saheed Olawoyin, Ibrahim Shittu and Sule Adigun.

Oyetunde further alleged that one of the suspects carted away a bag belonging to the factory manager during the operation.

He added that both he and the suspected abductors were scheduled to appear before the Oyo State Anti-Land Grabbing Agency next Wednesday, March 4, over a related dispute.

The businessman disclosed that the incident had been reported to the police.
According to him, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Sanyo Police Station confirmed that the abductors allegedly took the victims to the station and were instructed to release them.

He, however, lamented that the whereabouts of the workers had remained unknown since they reportedly left the station.

“We have visited police stations within Oluyole Local Government and made announcements on different radio stations, but as of this morning, their whereabouts remain unknown,” Oyetunde said.

The post Gunmen Abduct Three Factory Workers in Ibadan first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

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The journalists reportedly died on Monday while returning from the wedding ceremony of a colleague held in Kaltungo Local Government Area of the state.

Findings revealed that the accident occurred after a tyre burst on the bus conveying the journalists, leading to a loss of control and a fatal crash.

Confirming the incident, the Gombe State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Samson Kaura, said seven persons died in the crash, while four others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

Kaura added that the injured victims were rescued from the scene and taken to medical facilities for treatment.

The Director-General, Government House Press and Media Affairs, Ismaila Misili, also confirmed the death toll, describing the incident as tragic and devastating to the state’s media community.

Reacting, the National President of the NUJ, Alhassan Yahya, in a statement, expressed deep sorrow over the deaths, describing the incident as a huge loss to the journalism profession in Gombe State and Nigeria at large.

Yahya said the deceased journalists were dedicated professionals who served the public with courage, integrity and professionalism.

“They were committed practitioners who served the public with courage, integrity and professionalism. Their loss has left an irreplaceable void in our noble profession,” he said.

The NUJ president also expressed the union’s solidarity with the families of the deceased and members of the Gombe State media community.

“We pray that Almighty God grants eternal rest to the souls of the departed and gives their loved ones the fortitude to bear this painful loss,” he added.

Yahya, speaking on behalf of the National Executive Council and journalists across the country, extended condolences to the Gombe State Council of the NUJ, as well as friends and colleagues of the victims.

He further said the tragic incident highlighted the need for improved road safety measures and responsible driving to prevent avoidable loss of lives, especially among journalists who frequently travel in the course of their duties.

The post Seven journalists die in Gombe auto crash first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

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The accident occurred along the busy Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, causing panic among motorists and leading to a temporary disruption of traffic flow.

Eyewitnesses said the crash happened near Danco Filling Station in Makun, before the Sagamu Interchange, on the inward Ibadan axis, when the vehicle conveying the boxer reportedly collided with a stationary truck.

The vehicle, a Lexus SUV with registration number KRD 850 HN, was said to be travelling at the time of the crash under circumstances that are still being investigated by authorities.

An eyewitness, Adeniyi Orojo, confirmed that two people died on the spot as a result of the collision.

Orojo added that Joshua sustained minor injuries in the incident and was promptly attended to by emergency responders who arrived at the scene shortly after the crash.

News of the incident sparked widespread reactions on social media, with fans and well-wishers flooding various platforms with messages of concern and prayers for the boxing star.

Meanwhile, security agencies and emergency responders have commenced investigations to determine the exact cause of the accident, as traffic was temporarily disrupted in the area, while there was no official statement from Joshua or his management team as of the time of filing this report.

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Achi and his wife were kidnapped on October 28, 2025, when bandits invaded their residence in Nissi Village, near the Kaduna Refinery, whisking them away to an unknown location.

Days after the incident, the kidnappers reached out to the family and reportedly demanded a ransom of N600m for their release.

However, in a statement on Wednesday, the Diocese of Kaduna, Anglican Communion, announced the cleric’s death, describing it as a devastating blow to the church and the Christian community.

The Diocese wrote on its official Facebook page, “The Venerable Edwin, who was kidnapped alongside his wife on 28th October, 2025, has been confirmed dead. His transition is a painful loss to the entire Diocese, the clergy, the Church family, and all who were blessed by his faithful ministry, humble spirit, and unwavering devotion to the service of God.”

The church further expressed deep concern over the continued captivity of the priest’s wife and daughter, calling for intensified prayers for their safe return.

“We continue to pray for the release of his wife and daughter who are still in the hands of kidnappers,” the statement added.

The Diocese also prayed for God’s comfort for the late cleric’s family and resilience for the church amid what it described as “a dark and trying moment.”

The post TERROR IN KADUNA: Abducted Anglican Priest Dies in Captivity first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

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Generals shut borders, suspend elections as gunfire rocks capital

Military officers in Guinea-Bissau on Wednesday declared they had taken “total control” of the country, suspended the electoral process, and closed all borders, just three days after the nation held its presidential and legislative elections.

The announcement followed hours of tension in the capital, Bissau, where heavy gunfire was heard near the presidential palace as soldiers in military fatigues blocked the main road leading to the complex in what appeared to be a coordinated takeover.

In the early afternoon, the head of the presidential military office, General Denis N’Canha, addressed journalists while seated at a table surrounded by heavily armed troops. He said a joint command “composed of all branches of the armed forces” had assumed leadership of the country “until further notice.”

The fate of incumbent President Umaro Sissoco Embaló — who was widely favoured to win Sunday’s vote — remained uncertain. A senior military officer told AFP that the president was inside a building behind military headquarters “with the chief of staff and the minister of the interior,” but it was unclear whether he had been detained.

Both Embaló and leading opposition candidate Fernando Dias had already declared victory, even as the National Electoral Commission was expected to release provisional results today (Thursday).

Guinea-Bissau, a country with a long record of political instability, has experienced four coups and multiple attempted coups since independence.

N’Canha claimed the military had uncovered a plot to destabilise the country “involving national drug lords,” including an alleged plan to smuggle weapons into the country “to alter the constitutional order.” He announced the suspension of “the entire electoral process,” halted all media programming, and imposed a nationwide curfew.

The West African nation, ranked among the poorest in the world, has long served as a transit hub for cocaine smuggled from Latin America to Europe — a criminal trade aided by persistent political volatility.

The National Electoral Commission (CNE) also came under attack on Wednesday by unidentified armed men, its communications official, Abdourahmane Djalo, confirmed to AFP.

More than 6,780 security personnel, including members of the ECOWAS Stabilisation Force, had been deployed to secure the elections and post-election period.

In 2023, Embaló dissolved the opposition-dominated parliament and has since ruled by decree. The opposition insists the exclusion of the PAIGC from the ongoing elections amounted to “manipulation” and maintains that Embaló’s tenure ended on February 27 — exactly five years after his inauguration.

The post Military Seizes Power In Guinea -Bissau first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

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The United Nations has raised the alarm over the devastating impact of Israel’s war in Gaza, warning that the battered Palestinian territory’s economy is on the brink of total collapse and may struggle to survive without urgent global intervention.

In its latest report released on Tuesday, the UN Trade and Development Agency (UNCTAD) said rebuilding the war-torn enclave would cost more than $70bn, adding that the scale of destruction could take several decades to reverse.

UNCTAD described the situation as an “unprecedented collapse across the Palestinian economy”, stressing that the war and long-standing restrictions had shattered all essential systems supporting life in the Gaza Strip.

“The military operations have significantly undermined every pillar of survival — from food to shelter to healthcare — and plunged Gaza into a human-made abyss,” the report stated. It added that the widespread, systematic devastation had cast “significant doubt” on Gaza’s ability to re-emerge as a liveable society.

The current crisis was triggered after Hamas launched an attack in southern Israel in October 2023, killing 1,221 people. The assault sparked a two-year Israeli military response that has since devastated Gaza.

According to casualty figures from the Gaza health ministry — numbers the UN says are credible — more than 69,000 people have been killed in Israel’s retaliatory operations.

UNCTAD said the extensive destruction has unleashed “cascading crises — economic, humanitarian, environmental and social — propelling the territory from de-development to utter ruin”. Even under an optimistic scenario of double-digit growth backed by massive foreign aid, it warned that Gaza would need several decades to return to pre-October 2023 living standards.

To avert further collapse, the agency called for a “comprehensive recovery plan” involving coordinated international support, restoration of fiscal transfers, and easing of severe restrictions on movement, trade and investment.

Highlighting the depth of the crisis, the report noted that every resident of Gaza now faces “extreme, multidimensional impoverishment”. It recommended the introduction of a universal emergency basic income — a renewable, unconditional monthly cash transfer for all civilians in the territory.

Gaza’s economy, the report revealed, contracted by a staggering 87 per cent between 2023 and 2024, leaving its GDP per capita at just $161 — one of the lowest in the world.

Although conditions are less severe in the West Bank, UNCTAD said “violence, accelerated settlement expansion and restrictions on worker mobility” had also crippled economic activity there, resulting in the worst decline since it began keeping records in 1972.

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Bandits have invaded the Isapa community in the Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State, abducting 11 residents, including a pregnant woman, two nursing mothers, and several young children.

The attackers, said to be more than 20, reportedly stormed the quiet community on Monday with a large herd of cattle, shooting indiscriminately as villagers fled in panic. An elderly woman was hit by a stray bullet during the assault.

According to Channels TV reports, a community leader, who spoke with our correspondent on condition of anonymity due to fear of reprisal, confirmed that 11 persons were taken away by the assailants. He noted that seven of the victims were members of the same family.

The abducted residents were identified as: Talatu Kabiru (20), Magaji (6), Kande (5), Hadiza (10), Mariam (6), Saima (5), a housewife identified as Habibat, another housewife named Fatima Yusufu who is pregnant, Sarah Sunday (22), Lami Fidelis (23, a nursing mother), and a nursing mother identified as Haja Na Allah.

Eyewitnesses said the bandits moved from one section of the town to another, leaving bullet holes in walls, windows, and doors. Spent AK-47 shells were also found scattered across the community after the gang retreated with their captives.

As of the time of filing this report, the Kwara State Police Command had yet to release an official statement regarding the attack.

Monday’s incident comes barely two weeks after gunmen struck the Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) in Eruku, also in Ekiti LGA, kidnapping 38 worshippers. Some victims reportedly died during the assault, although those abducted were later released.

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