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2 die, 18 rescued in boat mishap in Jigawa
The Police Command in Jigawa on Monday confirmed that two persons lost their lives, while 18 others were rescued in a boat mishap that occurred in the state.
DSP Lawan Shiisu, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), confirmed this in a statement in Dutse, on Monday.
Shiisu explained that the command received the report about the incident which occurred on Sunday in Kwalgai village, Auyo Local Government Area, at about 10 p:m.
He said that the canoe capsized on its way to Hadin village in the same LGA.
Shiisu added that about 20 passengers were on board the boat when the incident occurred.
“On Sunday at about 2200hrs, the command received an incident report by the Divisional Police Officer of Auyo Division, that a group of marketers from Kwalgwai village in Auyo LGA numbering about 20, both males and females boarded a canoe.
“The canoe was said to have capsized while travelling across the Kwalgai River toward Hadin village within the same LGA,” the PPRO said.
According to him, in an attempt to save the victims, divers, fishermen, and good Samaritans were swiftly notified, while a police team led by the DPO raced to the scene.
Shisu disclosed that the team was able to rescue 18 passengers alive, while two others, all females, went missing.
“Subsequently, today at about 6 a:m., the body of one of the missing female passengers identified as Habiba Ado of Kwalgai village was recovered.
“The victim, aged 18, was quickly conveyed to Auyo hospital, but was confirmed dead by a medical doctor on duty,” he said.
The PPRO said that preliminary investigation revealed that the accident was primarily caused by powerful waves and overloading to the extent where the driver was unable to steer the canoe.
According to him, efforts were being intensified to recover the missing victim.Shiisu added that all the rescued victims were taken to the hospital for medical attention. (NAN
Daniel Bwala, special adviser to President Bola Tinubu on policy communication, says former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar should accept that presidency may not be his destiny.
Bwala spoke on Monday during an interview on TVC, where he addressed issues surrounding political succession and the future of opposition politics in the country.
He asked Abubakar to embrace reality and collaborate with President Tinubu in building the country.
“If I have the opportunity to meet him face to face, what I will tell him is just this: ‘Your Excellency, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, you have to believe in destiny,’” Bwala said.
“God gives power to whomsoever He chooses. And it seems from the facts on the ground that it may not have been the will of God for you to govern Nigeria.”
He advised the former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to align himself with Tinubu’s administration to leave a lasting legacy, “even if it is realised through another person”.
“There are many other ways you can contribute. Since you have been a friend to President Bola Tinubu for many years, come together and bring your contribution towards the Nigeria that both of you wanted to create for the Nigerian people,” he said.
“Your legacy will be that in your political dying days, you will be able to achieve some of your dreams, albeit through your friend.
“But if he insists that he wants to run and he wants to become the president, as we have already seen it playing out, his political ending might not be as palatable as he’s thinking.
“Right now, from his political family, he has lost substantial people, probably 60 to 70 percent.”
Bwala added that younger politicians who once followed Abubakar are now determined to seek power in their own right and have shown no signs of retreating.
The presidential aide’s remarks come amid a gale of defections from opposition parties to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
There are speculations that some governors of the opposition parties may soon join the APC.
In March, Abubakar said he was unsure about contesting the 2027 presidency, adding that there must be a viable platform.
The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) says it will no longer accept cash payments at its post office counters nationwide from July 1, as part of new reforms aimed at modernising the agency.
In a statement on Monday, Franklin Alao, NIPOST’s director of corporate communications, said the transition to a cashless system is one of several initiatives under a reform agenda themed “Change of Renewed Hope Berths at NIPOST Shores”.
Alao said the new direction aligns NIPOST with global best practices, the demands of Nigeria’s growing digital economy, and President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.
“Beginning July 1, 2025, all Post Offices counters nationwide will no longer accept cash payments for their services. Customers will be required to use approved electronic channels for all transactions,” the statement reads.
“This is a crucial step in our modernization journey — one that ensures safer, faster, and more transparent service delivery.”
The director said the core of the transformation is NIPOST’s dedication to evolving into a modern postal service guided by innovation, accountability, value creation, and a commitment to service excellence.
“We are assuring Nigerians of a revitalised NIPOST that delivers superior service and embraces the future,” he said.
Alao announced plans to introduce a performance-based reward and recognition system to encourage excellence, alongside disciplinary measures aimed at promoting integrity within the agency.
NIPOST expressed appreciation to Bosun Tijani, minister of communications, innovation and digital economy, for his “unwavering support and leadership”.
The organisation also commended Isaac Kekemeke, the newly appointed chairman of the NIPOST board, and Tola Odeyemi, the postmaster general and chief executive officer (CEO), for their efforts in driving reforms, improving staff welfare, and boosting capacity development.
NIPOST added that with the initiatives, the postal service aims to position itself as a forward-looking, tech-driven institution playing a central role in Nigeria’s digital advancement by “Connecting Nigeria, Delivering Solutions, and Improving Lives”.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has denied a viral report claiming it disclosed the reasons behind the detention of controversial social media commentator VeryDarkMan (VDM).
The activist was detained on Friday after visiting a Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) branch in Abuja with his mother to address alleged unauthorised withdrawals from her account.
Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju later revealed that VDM’s arrest followed a petition filed by a magistrate in Abuja.
However, on Monday, BBC Pidgin quoted Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesperson, as saying the activist was arrested based on petitions filed by some individuals who had grievances against him.
When asked if the petitions were related to GTB, Oyewale was quoted to have said the complaints came from different individuals and that the EFCC has a responsibility to protect them.
“We arrested him to respond to a series of allegations raised against him by some petitioners,” Oyewale was quoted as saying.
“We will release him once he meets the bail conditions, and we will take the case to court as soon as possible. We are law-abiding.”
Following his detention, supporters and associates of VeryDarkMan took to social media to campaign for his freedom.
Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi condemned VDM’s arrest, calling it a “disregard for the rule of law and human rights”.
Atiku Abubakar, the former vice-president, expressed his disappointment with the “continued detention” of the activist without formal charges, describing it as a “violation of his constitutional rights and a sign of growing authoritarianism” in the country.
Davido also joined the outcry, praising the widespread support for VeryDarkMan as “proof that genuine activism impacts lives”.
However, shortly afterward, the commission denied speaking with BBC Pidgin.
The EFCC, which has stayed quiet about the activist’s detention and is yet to respond to TheCable Lifestyle’s inquiries, dismissed the BBC Pidgin report as “fake news” in a post via X.