A tragic accident claimed the lives of sixteen passengers on Tuesday when a Mazda bus went up in flames along Buhari Estate on the Abeokuta-Sagamu Expressway in Ogun State.

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) spokesperson in Ogun State, Florence Okpe, confirmed the incident in a statement, revealing that the accident occurred around 1 pm.

According to Okpe, the ill-fated Mazda bus, bearing registration number KJA 949 YJ, was traveling from Ibadan via Abeokuta to Ota when it was engulfed in fire, leading to an explosion.

“The fire outbreak in the vehicle was aggravated by a filled gas cylinder being transported in it, which eventually led to an explosion,” Okpe stated.

She disclosed that a total of 21 people were involved in the accident, with 16 confirmed dead, while others sustained varying degrees of injuries.

The FRSC Sector Commander in Ogun State, Akinwumi Fasakin, led his team to the crash scene for a rescue operation but expressed deep displeasure over the incident.

“The driver should have objected to carrying a cylinder filled with gas,” Fasakin was quoted as saying, stressing that highly flammable items should be transported with extreme caution and only in designated vehicles operated by trained drivers.

Okpe further advised motorists and passengers to always prioritize safety when using the roads to prevent such tragic occurrences.

The remains of the deceased have been evacuated, while survivors are receiving medical attention.

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has dismissed circulating reports suggesting that retired Comptroller General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, David Parradang, was kidnapped and murdered in Abuja.

In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, the command clarified that Parradang was found dead in his hotel room under circumstances currently under investigation.

According to the statement, the retired immigration chief checked into a hotel at Area 3 Junction, Abuja, around noon on March 3, 2025, after paying ₦22,000 for a one-night stay. Shortly after, a female visitor arrived at the hotel, whom Parradang directed the hotel staff to escort to his room. The woman reportedly left the premises around 4 p.m.

Authorities disclosed that Parradang remained in his room throughout the night, but around 4 a.m. the next day, a concerned military officer, who was a friend of the deceased, went to the hotel to check on him.

Upon arrival, the officer, accompanied by hotel staff, discovered Parradang unresponsive, seated in a chair. The management immediately alerted the Durumi Police Station, whose personnel arrived promptly to secure the scene and document the findings.

His body has since been transferred to the National Hospital for further examination, while the police continue their investigations.

The FCT Police Command further stated that hotel staff are fully cooperating with the probe and that efforts are underway to locate and question the female visitor.

The command urged the public to disregard unfounded reports and await official findings from the ongoing investigation.

Police Kill One, Arrest Four

Edo State was thrown into panic as gunmen kidnapped a Catholic priest, Rev. Father Philip Ekeli, and a seminarian, Peter Andrew, from St. Peter Catholic Church in Iviukwa, Etsako East Local Government Area.

The abduction, which occurred on Sunday, was confirmed by the Edo State Police Command on Tuesday. Security operatives swiftly responded, leading to a deadly confrontation with the assailants.

Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Yamu, revealed in a statement that a joint rescue operation involving operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), vigilantes, and local hunters engaged the kidnappers in a fierce gun battle. During the operation, one suspect was killed, while four others—Murtala Ibrahim, Joshua Joseph, Sadiq Sheidu, and Sunday Bulus—were apprehended.

“The Police initiated a rescue operation involving the ‘Operation Rescue’ teams, vigilantes, and hunters. They swiftly moved to the scene and engaged the attackers in a gun duel. One of the suspects was neutralised, and his corpse has been deposited at the General Hospital, Agenebode,” Yamu stated.

Recovered from the suspects were a Tecno button phone with two SIM cards, two pairs of rubber shoes, a power bank, a dagger jacket, a bag containing biscuits and Nescafé beverage, and a sum of N168,850.

In response to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Betty Enekpen Isokpan Otimenyin, has deployed additional teams from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit and Police Mobile Force, working alongside the military, to secure the unconditional release of the victims and track down the remaining perpetrators.

The police have assured residents of their commitment to restoring security in the area while intensifying efforts to rescue the abducted priest and seminarian.