Seven recent graduates of the Department of Pharmacy at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) have been reported dead under controversial circumstances after a private signing-out ceremony held following their graduation on Wednesday.

The incident is said to have occurred at the Hilltop off-campus area of the university in Nsukka.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Simon Ortuanya, the university spokesperson, and the Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, Daniel Ndukwe, had yet to respond to messages as of the time of this report.

Two lecturers at the university, who declined to appear on camera or be named, confirmed the deaths, but stated that the cause of death had not yet been ascertained.

A fully loaded Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered commercial bus exploded and burst into flames along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Wednesday, triggering panic among passengers and motorists.

The incident occurred at Berger Bus Stop on the Lagos-bound section of the expressway. The Toyota Hiace bus, registration number EKY 798 YK, was carrying 18 occupants, including the driver, from the Mowe-Ibafo axis toward Lagos when it suddenly erupted into flames following a reported gas explosion.

Seventeen people, including the driver, were safely evacuated by personnel of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA). One male passenger seated at the rear of the vehicle sustained severe burn injuries and was rushed to the Lagos State Trauma and Emergency Centre at Toll Gate for treatment.

Officers of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service quickly extinguished the blaze, while police from the Ojodu Division secured the scene and maintained order.

LASTMA General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki praised the swift response by emergency teams that prevented further casualties. He urged operators of CNG-powered commercial vehicles to prioritise regular professional inspections and proper maintenance of gas storage and delivery systems to avoid similar incidents.

For the second time in one week, Senate proceedings suffered a delayed start after lawmakers failed to assemble in the numbers required to form a constitutional quorum.

The development has renewed concerns over legislative attendance. Senate President Godswill Akpabio warned senators against allowing political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections to undermine their parliamentary responsibilities.

The plenary, scheduled to begin at 11 a.m., did not commence until 12:19 p.m., after the arrival of Senator Abdul Ningi brought the number of lawmakers to the constitutionally required quorum.

Under Section 54(1) of the 1999 Constitution, the quorum for either chamber of the National Assembly is one-third of all its members.

With the quorum secured, Akpabio urged lawmakers not to abandon their legislative duties under the guise of preparations for the 2027 elections.

He advised senators to use weekends to travel to their constituencies and engage in political campaigns without disrupting legislative business.

The Senate then proceeded with the adoption of the votes and proceedings of its previous sitting.