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CSOs, security expert knock Akpabio for linking soldiers’ killing to mercenaries

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Civil society organizations, CSOs, and a security expert have berated Senate President Godswill Akpabio for linking Thursday’s killings of 16 military men in Delta State to foreign mercenaries.

Recall that the troops were killed while on a peace mission to the warring communities of Okuoma and Okoloba.

Akpabio spoke on Tuesday during plenary when the Senate resolved to set up a committee to unmask the circumstances behind the military personnel’s killings.

“I don’t want to conclude that these people are from Niger Delta because we respect men and women in uniform. That’s why I’m saying that your additional prayer should be to carry out a thorough investigation to know whether they were mercenaries outside Nigeria, who came in to commit this crime because I don’t think these people are from Niger Delta.

“We’re not at war. Even in the field of war, to lose such a large number of personnel, no community will go to the extent of doing that kind of thing; I don’t think they’re from Niger Delta. So, I think the first point should be that we should establish the culprits who committed this crime,” Akpabio said.

According to him, the panel would be saddled with the responsibility of ensuring that those involved in the killings were brought to justice.

Reacting to Akpabio’s claims, the Executive Director, Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre, CISLAC, and Transparency International-Nigeria, TI-Nigeria, Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, said: “A criminal is a criminal irrespective of where he or she comes from. So, to support or to give a kind of soft landing to people who have carried out this barbaric and murder against serving security officials, is condemnable.”

On his part, the Executive Director, CLEEN Foundation, Gad Peter, said political leaders should be careful about their comments “after incidents or crimes have taken place.”

“For Akpabio to say the people that killed those soldiers are foreigners means that he has information. So, he should provide the details of which nation invaded our country so that we can go to war with them for killing our soldiers,” he said.

In the same vein, the Team Lead/Convener Good Governance Team Nigeria, Tunde Salman, described Akpabio’s comment as very sad, unacceptable and condemnable, urging that the culprits should be identified and justice served.

National Coordinator, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, Emmanuel Onwubiko, on his part said: “He (Akpabio) is simply guessing. So, he may be right and he may be wrong.

“Foreign elements could mean strange persons from outside of that community where the incident happened.”

A security expert, Haruna Garba, questioned why Akpabio made such a comment without seeing the outcome of the investigation.

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LASEMA rescues 12, 3 dead bodies at Ajuwon building collapse

Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, disclosed this while giving an update at the scene of the incident…

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The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) said Tuesday twelve persons have been rescued alive, while three bodies have been recovered while search and rescue operations are ongoing at the collapsed building in Ajuwon, a border community between Ogun and Lagos State.

Dr Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu Permanent Secretary, LASEMA, disclosed this while giving an update at the scene of the incident, said that following the approval of Governor, Babajide Sanwoolu, LASEMA deployed its specialised rescue team and heavy equipment to support the Ogun State Government and other responding agencies.

” Working alongside officials of the Ogun State Government, NEMA, the Nigeria Police Force, the Amotekun Corps and other stakeholders, 12 persons were rescued from the rubble and three bodies have been recovered,” he said.

According to him, the operation is now at ground zero, with responders excavating below the foundation level to ensure no victim remains trapped before the operation is concluded.

An adjoining bungalow, compromised by the collapse, will also be carefully demolished to eliminate the risk of a secondary collapse.

LASEMA commends the collaboration among all responding agencies and extends its condolences to the families of the deceased while wishing the injured a speedy recovery.

The Agency also urges property owners and developers to comply with building regulations and carry out periodic structural integrity assessments to prevent similar incidents.

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Billionaire Dangote to donate one-third of wealth to philanthropy,says daughter

According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Dangote’s net worth is estimated at $35.1 billion, meaning one-third of his current fortune would amount to about $11.7 billion if maintained at that level.

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[File photo): Aliko Dangote and his daughters

Halima Dangote, the daughter of Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, has revealed plans by her father to donate one-third of his wealth to charity.

Halima, a trustee of the Aliko Dangote Foundation, disclosed the arrangement in an interview with Bloomberg published on Tuesday.

According to her, the billionaire had secured his family’s support to dedicate 33 percent of his estate to philanthropy.

According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, Dangote’s net worth is estimated at $35.1 billion, meaning one-third of his current fortune would amount to about $11.7 billion if maintained at that level.

Explaining the decision, Halima said her father considers philanthropy central to his legacy and has embedded it into the family’s long-term succession plans.

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BREAKING: Two-Storey Building Collapses in Ajuwon, Residents Feared Trapped

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A two-storey residential building has collapsed along Baale Road (also referred to as Baale Street) near Ajuwon Bus Stop in Ajuwon/Akute, Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, on Monday, 27 July 2026, leaving several occupants feared trapped under the rubble.

The incident, which occurred in the Lagos-Ogun border community, triggered panic among residents and passers-by as the structure gave way unexpectedly. Crowds quickly gathered at the scene while waiting for emergency responders. Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes of people attempting to dig through the debris by hand.

According to one eyewitness identified as Anthony, only a single male occupant managed to escape before the building became completely inaccessible. The survivor reportedly told those at the scene that his wife and children remained trapped inside.

Preliminary reports indicate that at least three people — including a grandmother, her toddler grandchild, and another man — have been rescued from the rubble and taken to hospital. Several others are still feared trapped. The exact number of people affected, including any injuries or fatalities, has not been officially confirmed by authorities at the time of reporting.

The Executive Chairman of Ifo Local Government, Hon. Idris Kusimo, has arrived at the scene and is coordinating with residents and responders. Rescue operations involving locals and emergency personnel are ongoing.

Urgent Appeal
An urgent call has gone out to the Ogun State Government, Ogun State Emergency Management Agency, relevant state fire and rescue services, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and all other emergency responders to immediately mobilise fully equipped teams to the location to rescue those still trapped beneath the debris.

Further updates will follow as official information becomes available. Residents in the area are advised to stay clear of the site to allow unhindered access for rescue teams.

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