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Police confirm 18 injured in gas explosion in Port Harcourt
River State Police Command has said that 18 persons were severely injured in a gas explosion which occurred in Oroazi community in Port Harcourt.
The incident occurred in Sunday evening at a gas refilling shop, causing significant damage to nearby buildings.
The latest explosion follows a series of gas and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) incidents recorded in the state since 2024.
SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the command’s spokesperson, confirmed the incident during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday.
According to her, yes, I can confirm that the explosion was caused by a welder repairing a refrigerator.
‘’The technician was using a gas cylinder to weld while simultaneously trying to refill gas on the refrigerator which led to the explosion.
“No fewer than 18 persons, including the technician, sustained injuries but fortunately, no lives were lost,” she added.
Iringe-Koko stated that those injured suffered varying degrees of burns and were promptly evacuated to the hospital where they are receiving treatment.
She also confirmed that the police have launched a full investigation into the incident and would share their findings with the public.
An eyewitness, identified as Tamuno, described the incident as devastating, noting that the victims included a pregnant woman, four children, and a couple.
“The explosion triggered a chain reaction with other gas cylinders in the shop also exploding.
“Most of the victims were residents and passers-by who unfortunately happened to be near the shop at the time,” he said.
He added that many of the victims were rushed to the Rivers State Teaching Hospital in Port Harcourt and expressed hope for their survival. (NAN)
The Kano State House of Assembly on Tuesday passed the Kano State Censorship Board Amendment Bill 2025, granting the board broader regulatory powers over entertainment and media content in the state.
The passage followed the consideration of the Committee of the Whole House and the third reading by the Clerk, Bashir Diso, during Monday’s plenary presided over by the Speaker, Ismail Falgore.
Briefing journalists after the plenary, the lawmaker representing Dala Constituency, Lawan Husseini, explained that the amendment empowers the board to oversee the registration of event centres and enforce strict compliance with Islamic principles in entertainment-related activities.
He further disclosed that the board’s name had been officially changed from State Censorship Board to Kano State Censorship Board to reflect its jurisdictional authority.
All films, series, and serials must now be censored and certified by the board before they can be aired,” Husseini stated.
Additionally, the amended law prohibits the indiscriminate shooting of films within the state without obtaining prior approval from the board.
Meanwhile, the Kano State Water Users Association Bill 2025 has passed the second reading in the Assembly.
Beneficiaries of the New Nigerian Newspapers, associated with the Northern States Governors Forum, have expressed their deep frustration over the prolonged issue of unpaid benefits totalling N2.1 billion. As of January 2025, the death toll of members awaiting these payments has tragically reached 106.
A statement issued by Alhaji Sadiq Tela on behalf of the Elders Forum, and Friday Sule for the Joint Union of the New Nigerian Newspapers, highlights that “following the recent out-of-court settlement between the Northern Governors and Albert Iweka and Co, which was ratified on 27th November 2024 by the Federal High Court, expectations have soared due to the extreme poverty exacerbated by the delay in these benefits.”
It is worth noting that Barrister Iweka and Idi Sule, both former employees of the New Nigerian Newspapers, had previously taken the Northern Governors to court over the payment of check-off dues. They successfully secured a garnishee order that froze the account of New Capital Properties Limited (NCPL), where the proceeds from the sale of NNN assets were held.
“Thanks to the tireless efforts of the New Nigerian Beneficiaries, the case was eventually dismissed, and all previous garnishee orders were vacated, with all parties duly settled except for the New Nigerian Beneficiaries,” the statement emphasised.
The statement further lamented, “More than 100 days have passed since the resolution of this decade-long court battle, yet all New Nigerian Beneficiaries who served the 19 Northern Governors continue to suffer in silence, overwhelmed by pain and despair.”
However, the workers have praised the current Secretary to the State Government of Kaduna for providing some relief through strategic discussions with the Northern Nigeria Development Company and the Northern Governors’ Secretariats. “These efforts are comforting, but in light of the harsh economic realities, the over 800 beneficiaries who have nearly 10,000 dependants are left in tears,” they added.
The statement reiterated, “The Northern Governors, led by Governor Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State, possess the authority to shape the futures of nearly 1,000 New Nigerian Beneficiaries.”
“We take this opportunity to implore our Northern Governors’ Forum to extend their support, as the death toll of NNN beneficiaries awaiting payment has sadly risen to 106 as of January 2025.”
“In the spirit of Ramadan, we beseech our Northern Governors to show compassion towards our families, as many of us are struggling to break our fast.
Both Dangote Refinery and the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) have crashed the cost of the essential commodity in recent weeks.
Rewane attributed the reduction in fuel price to a fall in global crude oil price.
Managing Director of Financial Derivatives Company Limited, Bismarck Rewane, has predicted that the cost of premium motor spirit also known as petrol will continue to decline until June 2025.
Both Dangote Refinery and the Nigeria National Petroluem Company Limited (NNPCL) have crashed the cost of the essential commodity in recent weeks, easing the pressure on millions of Nigerians who depend on fuel for their energy needs.
But Rewane says the recent reduction in the pump price of the product is expected to continue until mid-year.
“So, generally between now and June, we will see prices begin to decline. But after June as things stabilize, depending on what happens in the global oil and currency market, we might begin to see some stabilisation,” Rewane said on Tuesday’s edition of Channels Television’s Business Morning.
According to him, the price war between Dangote Refinery and NNPCL will benefit the consumer more.
“In a price war, nobody wins, the consumers win in the short run then eventually the market goes back to where it should be. But, at the end of the day, between now and June, the price leadership will be firmly established,” Rewane said.
He attributed Dangote Refinery’s reduction in the pump price of petrol to production cost efficiency.