The Police Command in Rivers says three persons lost their lives in a fuel tanker explosion that took place in the state on Tuesday.

The tragic incident occurred when a petrol-laden tanker veered off the road, colliding with a taxi and bursting into flames at the Obiri Ikwerre flyover section of the East-West Road around 9:00 a.

SP Grace Iringe-Koko, spokesperson of the command, said in Port Harcourt that the car’s occupants were severely burnt and that they could not be identified.

“I can confirm that three persons perished after a tanker carrying petrol fell on a commercial vehicle at the Obiri Ikwerre flyover stretch of the East-West Road.

“The Fire Service has successfully put out the fire, but the area has been cordoned off due to ongoing petrol leakage from the tanker.

“The Commissioner of Police, Tunji Disu, and I were on the ground earlier to assess the situation,” she said.

Iringe-Koko added that traffic has been diverted from the flyover to alternative routes to prevent further casualties.

A correspondent who visited the accident scene saw the burnt vehicle and charred bodies of victims of the inferno on the road.

The incident happened a few kilometres from the Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and University of Port Harcourt.

There was an extensive gridlock stretching a few kilometres on the road that connects to the N200 billion Ring Road project currently being constructed by the Rivers Government.

An eyewitness, Ebiere Faith, noted that the explosion’s impact was felt kilometres away from her office.

“Some individuals said that their glass windows were shattered due to the impact of the explosion,” she told NAN. (NAN

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia yesterday said Nigeria needs to use new technologies through collaborative research and development to be able to tackle insurgency in the North and banditry in the North Central parts of the country.

He stated this while delivering a goodwill message at the opening ceremony of the Combat Support Arms Training (COSAT) Week 2024 held at the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering (NASME), Makurdi, Benue State.

Alia promised that his administration will continue to support the noble ideas of the Nigerian Army in the performance of their duties and felicitated with the Nigerian Army on the occasion of the Combat Support Arms Training, 2024.

Looking at the theme: “Emerging Technologies: A Panacea for Operational Efficiency”, the governor expressed firm belief that the event was yet another step in the right direction towards their collective resolve to leverage emerging technologies towards enhancing the conduct of military operations.

“The adoption of new technologies through collaborative research and development will help in defeating non state actors currently terrorizing many parts of the country.

“I will  always identify with the Combat Support Arms of the Nigerian Army, other relevant stakeholders and partner organizations to discuss and fashion out better ways of improving military operations towards a more secured and economically viable nation.

“I therefore commend the contribution of the Nigerian Army to the fight against insurgency in the North and banditry in the North Central, assuring them that the government and the good people of Benue State will always support them,” Alia maintained.

Earlier, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja warmly welcomed the governor, his entourage, traditional rulers and other eminent personalities to the event.

He said, in today’s complex and unpredictable operational environment, combat arms required a robust and reliable support to function effectively and achieve military strategic, operational and tactical objectives.

The Commander, Corps of Engineers, Prof. Abiodum Musa Aibinu expressed the delight of the corps of Military Engineers to host this year’s event saying it provided a platform for training officers of the Nigerian Army to enhance operational efficiency.

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Abdulaziz Yar’ Adua and Deputy Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Army, Hon. David Ogewu were amongst top dignitaries who graced the occasion

The highlight of the event was the presentation of souvenirs to the governor and other participants.

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

The paramount ruler of the Tiv nation, Orcivirigh Prof James Ortese Iorzua Ayatse has  acknowledged the commitment of the World Bank for sustained development and poverty reduction in Nigeria.

He said the bank has made significant impact on the people’s lives on a multisectoral basis across the nation.

Speaking recently in his palace in Gboko when the Project Team Task Leader of Agro-Climate Resilience in Semi-Arid Landscapes (ACReSAL), Dr Joy Iganya Agene paid him homage, Orcivirigh Ayatse stressed the need to deepen the partnership for its effective implementation especially in the areas of agricultural modernization, rehabilitation of cottage industries,  agroforestry, dredging of the River Benue, rehabilitation of moribund cattle ranches as well as support and empowerment for women.

The Tor Tiv stated that through the intervention of ACReSAL opportunities for economic growth, social progress and environmental sustainability will be fostered adding that by learning from individual’s wealth of experience and expertise a brighter future for the next generation will be realized.

Earlier in her address, Dr Agene  disclosed that the ACReSAL project is aimed at contributing to the Federal Government objective to reduce the vulnerability of millions of extremely poor northern Nigeria and strengthen its role in line with achieving environmental sustainability.

According to Dr Agene, the project targets vulnerable and marginalized groups including women, youths, the elderly persons with disabilities, internally displaced persons, ethnic and religious minorities across the 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

She noted that the visit to the Tor Tiv was to foster  a cooperation with traditional rulers and community leaders for the important role they  played in the implementation of projects because of their connection and closeness to the rural people.

In his vote of thanks, Benue State Project Coordinator, ACReSAL, Dr Victor Ama commended the World Bank for choosing Benue State for the implementation of the projects.

Freddie Adamgbe, Special Assistant to Tor Tiv on Media and ICT, quoted Dr. Ama as assuring the Tor is Tiv that his fatherly and wonderful counsel shall be fully adhered to.