The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has commenced a manhunt for a man, accused of violently assaulting his spouse in Abuja.

The Head of NAPTIP’s Rapid Response Unit, Dr. Emeh Magnus, said this in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday.

He stated that the suspect, accused of inflicting life-threatening injuries on his wife, had absconded to an unknown location, evading arrest.

Magnus said the victim, whose identity was not disclosed, had been rushed to a hospital in the Gudu District, where she underwent emergency surgery.

He said that NAPTIP operatives were said to have been present throughout the procedure to monitor her condition and secure necessary evidence.

According to him, following the attack, a NAPTIP Rapid Response team proceeded to the suspect’s residence in Jabi to effect an arrest.

“However, the operatives were allegedly prevented from gaining access by a retired military officer, who reportedly insisted the case was a “private family matter.

“The agency claims the officer subsequently facilitated the suspect’s escape to an undisclosed location,’’ he said.

Magnus said that NAPTIP in response raised an inter-agency alert and notified the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Immigration Service, and relevant military authorities to track and apprehend the suspect.

He said that the suspect’s international passport had been flagged to prevent any attempt to leave the country.

“The agency has filed a report with the Inspector General of Police and the Chief of Defence Staff over the alleged obstruction by the retired officer,’’ he said.

Magnus reiterated that domestic violence was a criminal offense under Nigerian law and warned that all parties involved in aiding the suspect would be investigated.

“We remain committed to ensuring justice for victims of domestic violence. This case will be pursued to its lawful conclusion,” he stated.

Magnus, however, said that the victim was reported to be in stable condition and under close medical observation.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has urged motorists to always adhere to statutory speed limits and ensure regular maintenance of heavy-duty braking systems.

The General Manager of LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, made the appeal in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.

Bakare-Oki was reacting to a multi-vehicle collision involving a six-tyre trailer (AGL 514 XD), Honda Pilot (FST 992 DV), Toyota Camry (EKY 753 JA), and an unregistered tricycle.

He said the accident took place at Ekoro Junction inward Ile-iwe.

Bakare-Oki said that a tricycle operator lost his life on the spot, while two other individuals (male and female) sustained grievous bodily injuries.

“Preliminary investigations by security operatives revealed that the calamity was triggered by a mechanical brake failure in the fully loaded trailer, whose driver consequently lost operational control of the vehicle.

“The trailer, in its uncontrollable descent, crushed the tricycle beyond recognition, before colliding with a Honda Pilot and eventually vaulting over the median to smash into a Toyota Camry and adjacent property on the opposing lane,” he said.

He said LASTMA officials that arrived at the scene promptly rescued two severely trapped victims after confirming the instantaneous death of the tricycle operator.

“The accident scene was immediately cordoned off to forestall secondary incidents and facilitate a seamless emergency operation.

“LASTMA personnel swiftly notified relevant emergency agencies, including operatives of the Nigeria Police Force and the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit.

“Thereafter, security officers from the Ile-Epo Police Division conveyed the deceased tricycle operator, alongside the two critically injured survivors to the General Hospital, Ile-Epo, for urgent medical attention and proper procedural documentation,” he said.

Bakare-Oki said during the rescue and evacuation efforts, LASTMA operatives rerouted vehicular flow through Iyana-Meran via Ajasa command, thereby easing congestion and sustaining vehicular orderliness along the corridor.

He said the thoroughfare was subsequently reopened to traffic after the mangled vehicles and the trailer were successfully evacuated to the Ile-Epo Police Station for further investigation.

He extended his heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of the deceased tricycle operator, while offering prayers for the swift and complete recovery of the injured victims.

He admonished all motorists, particularly operators of articulated and heavy-duty vehicles to exercise utmost caution, ensure frequent mechanical inspections, and observe all safety protocols.

Bakare-Oki said reckless driving and mechanical negligence remain the leading causes of preventable road tragedies in Lagos State.

From Muhammad Muhammad Al-amin, Maiduguri

The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Borno State has flagged off its 2025 Ember Months Public Enlightenment and Sensitization Campaign, with a strong call to motorists to prioritize safety and responsibility on the road.

The event held on Monday at the Special Marshal Conference Hall in Maiduguri, brought together stakeholders from the transport sector, security agencies, and civil society organizations.

The Borno State Sector Commander, Corps Commander Usman A. Muhammad, said the annual campaign aims to promote safer road practices as travel and traffic volumes increase toward the end of the year.

He noted that the 2025 theme, “Take Responsibility for Your Safety: Stop Distracted Driving,” emphasizes the critical role of human behavior in road safety.

According to him, most crashes are caused by driver-related factors such as speeding, fatigue, overloading, and the use of mobile phones while driving.

Muhammad recalled that during the 2024 Operation Zero exercise, which ran from December 15, 2024, to January 15, 2025, the state recorded 14 crashes that claimed 10 lives and left 77 others injured.

He said the 2025 campaign would focus on tackling common violations, including reckless driving, alcohol consumption, non-use of seat belts, and other unsafe practices.

To ensure effective implementation, he announced several strategies, such as deploying additional personnel and Special Marshals to highways and accident prone areas, conducting free vehicle safety checks, and organizing community engagement through rallies and town hall meetings.

The commander also highlighted FRSC’s collaboration with driving schools, transport unions, fleet operators, and NGOs to improve driver education and awareness.

On the issue of driver’s license and vehicle number plate delays, Muhammad revealed that the Corps’ printing facility now produces about 15,000 licenses daily and is expected to clear all pending applications by mid November 2025. He added that a new “Contactless Biometric Capture” system would soon be introduced to enable instant license printing and eliminate temporary licenses.

Muhammad further announced that the Corps would host an international conference on road crash victims for Africa from November 16 to 18, 2025, in partnership with the KRSD Road Safety Foundation. The conference, he said, aims to strengthen post-crash care in alignment with the United Nations Decade of Action for Road Safety.

He commended the Corps Marshal, Shehu Mohammed, for his leadership and support to field officers, and lauded Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum, for improving road infrastructure through the construction of new roads, flyovers, and ring road projects.

“These initiatives reflect the state government’s commitment to making Borno’s roads safer for all users,” Muhammad said.

He urged drivers to obey traffic laws, avoid risky behavior, and embrace collective responsibility to reduce accidents and save lives.

The 2025 Ember Months Campaign was thereafter formally declared open.