The Rivers State police have confirmed that 18 people were injured in a gas explosion that occurred in the Oroazi community of Port Harcourt. The explosion took place on Sunday evening at a gas refilling shop, causing extensive damage to surrounding buildings.

This incident is part of a troubling series of gas and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosions that have occurred in the state since 2024. SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the police spokesperson, confirmed the explosion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.

Iringe-Koko explained that the explosion was caused by a welder working on a refrigerator. The technician, who was using a gas cylinder to weld while simultaneously refilling the fridge with gas, accidentally triggered the blast. She confirmed that no fatalities occurred, but at least 18 people, including the technician, suffered injuries, ranging from burns to other wounds. The injured were quickly taken to a hospital for treatment.

An eyewitness named Tamuno described the scene as catastrophic. Among the injured were a pregnant woman, four children, and a couple. The explosion caused a chain reaction, triggering other gas cylinders in the shop to detonate. Many of the victims were residents or passers-by who happened to be near the shop when the explosion occurred. They were rushed to the Rivers State Teaching Hospital in Port Harcourt, where their conditions are being monitored.

The police have launched a full investigation into the incident and will provide updates as they continue their inquiries.

At least five people lost their lives on Sunday afternoon in a tragic tanker explosion in Agbor, Ika South Local Government Area of Delta State. The incident occurred when a petrol-laden tanker lost control and ignited a massive fire.

Videos circulating online showed residents fleeing for safety as the fire consumed the tanker and nearby buildings. Emergency responders are expected to initiate rescue and recovery efforts at the site.

This tragedy echoes a similar incident in October 2024, when over 170 people died in a fuel tanker explosion in Jigawa State.

Tanker explosions in Nigeria often underscore the country's ongoing fuel challenges. With petrol prices skyrocketing more than fivefold since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office in May 2023, access to gasoline has become increasingly difficult for many.

Nigeria is currently grappling with its worst economic crisis in decades, with inflation exceeding 30% and peaking at over 34% in June 2024. Though it dropped to 32.7% in September, the economic strain remains severe. A World Bank report indicates that 56% of Nigerians now live below the poverty line, a significant increase from 40% in 2018.

In another tragic incident, at least 59 people died in September when a fuel tanker collided with a truck carrying passengers and cattle in Niger State. Such accidents highlight the critical need for enhanced safety measures and infrastructure improvements in Nigeria.

Eight people sustained injuries on Friday after a commercial bus, popularly known as a ‘Molue,’ crashed into the road median at Ahmadiyya, along the Lagos-Abeokuta expressway.

In a statement issued by Adebayo Taofiq, spokesperson for the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the incident occurred when the bus attempted to avoid hitting pedestrians at a bus stop.

“A critical road traffic incident involving a commercial long bus, registered as KTU 801 XM, occurred today at Ahmadiyya inward Abule-Egba. The accident, caused by excessive speed and driver impatience, resulted in severe injuries and significant traffic disruption,” the statement read.

The bus reportedly lost control while trying to avoid a collision with another LT commercial bus and pedestrians standing at the roadside. In the process, it veered sharply, hitting the median and overturning.

Eight passengers—five men and three women, including the driver—suffered varying degrees of injuries. The driver sustained a fractured left arm. Some passengers managed to escape through the bus’s windows.

LASTMA officers arrived swiftly to coordinate rescue operations, while medical personnel from LASAMBUS provided immediate assistance. The injured were transported to the General Hospital at Ile-Epo for urgent medical care.

To restore traffic flow and ensure safety, LASTMA’s Response Unit removed the overturned vehicle, supported by officers from the Meiran Police Division.

LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed sympathy for the victims and wished them a speedy recovery. He emphasized the importance of adhering to traffic regulations, especially speed limits, and urged drivers to prioritize vehicle maintenance, particularly brake systems, to prevent such incidents.

“This unfortunate event highlights LASTMA’s unwavering commitment to preserving lives and ensuring road safety through proactive measures and collaboration with emergency response agencies,” the statement concluded.

Tragedy struck in the Tanke area of Ilorin, Kwara State, as a retired Controller of Works from the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, AbdulRazaq Ajani, was gruesomely murdered on January 1, 2025.

The attack occurred shortly after Ajani returned to his residence with his family, following a New Year celebration in his hometown of Offa. The incident, which took place around 3 p.m., has left the community in shock.

Kwara State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the incident on Thursday, stating, “Yes, the incident happened. A retired Controller of Works was killed in the Tanke area on Wednesday. Police have commenced an investigation into the case.”

According to reports, four young men, aged between 18 and 22, trailed Ajani to his residence. CCTV footage revealed two of the assailants loitering outside the gate, with one casually sipping water from a plastic bottle, while the other two entered the compound.

Witnesses described the chilling moments when Ajani, upon noticing the intruders, approached them at his front door. The exchange appeared calm initially but took a horrific turn, leaving the retired official lying face down.

Eyewitnesses recounted the brutality of the attack: “The late engineer was hacked to death in the presence of his wife and children. Blood stains covered the walls of his home, and his brain was scattered on the floor.”

The gruesome murder has drawn a large crowd of sympathizers to Ajani's residence, where they consoled his grieving wife and children. Police officers have since visited the scene as investigations intensify.

Ajani, who retired from the Federal Ministry of Works four years ago, had recently returned to the ministry on a contract appointment in 2024.

The community mourns the loss of a distinguished public servant, with many calling for a swift resolution and justice for Ajani and his family.