Blog

The Kano State government on Monday sealed a gas station located close to a school along Gwarzo Road over safety concerns, as part of a wider crackdown on illegal structures across the state.

The Director-General of the Kano Geographic Information System (KANGIS), Dr Dalhatu Aliyu Sani, who led an enforcement team, said the facility posed a serious risk to schoolchildren and nearby residents.

“This is very serious. When you talk about a school, there are many children there. Anything can happen, so we have to stop it immediately,” he said.

The action followed the sealing of about 15 illegal structures in different parts of Kano, including areas around Sokoto Road, the Yahaya Gusau axis, NNDC Quarters and Rijiyar Zaki.

According to the KANGIS boss, “These are structures that don’t have the required documents, especially building permits and title documents.”

He added that some of the structures were erected under high-tension power lines, on waterways and in other restricted areas, describing the trend as dangerous and a violation of urban planning laws.

“Some buildings are under the national grid, some are on waterways. There is a lot of encroachment, and this is not acceptable,” he stated.

Dr Sani said the enforcement drive, tagged “Operation Show Your Documents”, is aimed at ensuring that all property owners comply with government regulations.

“The only thing we ask is for people to come and show their documents. If everything is okay, we will unseal the property. We don’t demand money or award penalties,” he said.

He stressed that the exercise is necessary to support ongoing development projects in the state, including road construction and installation of streetlights.

“Kano is growing very fast due to migration and business activities. We need people to follow the rules so we can build a modern city we will all be proud of in the future,” he added.

The committee also revisited an already sealed illegal structure located at Kantin Kwari Market near the fire service area.

Kano govt seals filling station near school over safety concerns

The Nigerian Navy has recorded another operational success under Operation DELTA SENTINEL with the discovery of a concealed cache of

The post Nigerian Navy uncovers fuel stash in Rivers appeared first on Tribune Online.

Former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong has reacted to the decision to award Argentina a penalty against Austria, saying it was a “straightforward” and accurate judgment by referee Amin Omar during their FIFA World Cup encounter.

It happened early in the match when Inter Milan forward, Lautaro Martínez, fell inside the penalty area following a challenge, which led to a review by VAR.

After deliberation, the referee awarded the penalty, although Lionel Messi was unable to convert it.

In his analysis on Super Sport, Troost-Ekong said that the contact on Martínez was clear, emphasizing that the primary concern was the timing of the tackle in relation to the ball.

“The moment Argentina started to show their quality, you can see there is a tackle. It is quite evident that there is contact with [Lautaro] Martinez,” Troost-Ekong articulated.

“The only question was whether it occurred before or after he made contact with the ball. I believe it was a straightforward decision by the referee, although it took a considerable amount of time to reach that conclusion.”

Despite missing the penalty, Lionel Messi delivered a pivotal performance, scoring twice to lead Argentina to a 2-0 victory over the European team on Monday evening.

This outcome allowed the former Barcelona forward to establish a new FIFA World Cup record with 18 goals, while also extending his scoring streak to six consecutive World Cup matches.

World Cup: Ex-Super Eagles star, Troost-Ekong reacts to Lionel Messi’s penalty against Austria

No fewer than 80 motorcycles were on Monday impounded in Umuahia and Aba by various law enforcement agencies in the state.

This followed the ban placed on commercial motorcycle operations in Umuahia, Aba, and Ohafia metropolises by the Abia State Government.

The state government had on Saturday explained that the ban on the movement of commercial motorcycles in the three towns was to ensure the safety and security of its citizens, among other reasons.

In compliance with the state government’s directive, various law enforcement agencies, including the police and members of the Abia State Harmonized Task Force (ASHTF), hit the roads to enforce the ban.

In some parts of Umuahia and Aba, many okada operators had their bikes confiscated by the enforcement teams.

While some of the motorcycles were conveying passengers at the time they were flagged down and confiscated, others were being ridden by lone riders.

Some of the owners of the impounded bikes in Umuahia were seen claiming that they were using their motorcycles for private transportation and not for commercial purposes.

In Aba, men of the Abia State Harmonized Task Force, led by Uche Wogu, carried out a joint enforcement exercise against offenders.

Confirming the enforcement of the ban in Aba, the spokesperson for the Abia State Harmonized Task Force, Miracle Chukwunenye, said the ban on commercial motorcycles has come to stay in the state.

“At the various enforcement locations visited, I communicated to the people, especially those whose motorcycles were impounded, that the ban on commercial motorcycles, popularly known as ‘okada,’ within the Aba, Umuahia, and Ohafia metropolises is sacrosanct and has come to stay.

“I further clarified that the ban applies strictly to commercial motorcycles (okada) and does not affect scooter bikes, electric bikes, or private bikes,” Chukwunenye said.

He advised those affected by the ban to relocate to parts of the state that are not affected by the restriction.

80 Motorcycles impounded in Umuahia, Aba as enforcement of Abia Govt’s ban begins

The Ebonyi State Government has concluded plans to establish a new cement factory in Nkalagu, Governor Francis Nwifuru said on

The post Nwifuru plans N500BN new cement factory in Nkalagu appeared first on Tribune Online.

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, has unveiled a seven-point agenda

The post Ogun 2027: Adebutu unveils seven-point agenda appeared first on Tribune Online.

The wet season is a productive period for vegetable farming in Nigeria, but it also creates ideal conditions for pests and diseases.

The post Organic pest control: Ways to protect vegetable farms from wet-season infestations appeared first on Tribune Online.

Scores of residents have been displaced and several properties destroyed following a devastating flood that swept through Odoba Ogaje community in Otukpa, Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State, after a heavy rainfall on the night of June 21, 2026.

The flood, which residents believe was worsened by drainage challenges associated with the ongoing dualization of the Makurdi–Enugu Expressway passing through the community, left many families homeless and caused widespread destruction.

Homes, churches, schools, local roads, farmlands, and other critical infrastructure were severely affected, throwing many residents into hardship.

Community members said the disaster forced several families to flee their homes as floodwaters inundated residential areas and destroyed valuable property.

Following the incident, the people of Odoba Ogaje appealed to the Federal Government, Benue State Government, and relevant emergency agencies for urgent intervention.

They called for the provision of emergency relief materials, temporary shelter, medical assistance, and rehabilitation support to help victims recover from the disaster.

The community also urged key government officials and agencies to visit the affected area and assess the extent of the damage with a view to providing immediate assistance.

Among those called upon to intervene are the Chairman of Ogbadibo Local Government Council, the member representing Ogbadibo State Constituency in the Benue State House of Assembly, the member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency, the Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District, the Governor of Benue State, the Minister of Environment, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).

The residents appealed for swift action to prevent further suffering and restore normalcy to the community.

Scores displaced as flood ravages Otukpa community in Benue

A member of the Osun State House of Assembly representing Obokun State Constituency, Hon. Adewumi Adeyemi, has strongly condemned the rising wave of political violence across the state, declaring that no political ambition is worth the blood of the citizens. Reacting to the recent killing of a 14-year-old boy, Ezekiel Olapade, in Ilobu, the lawmaker […]

The post ‘No ambition is worth the blood of our people,’ Osun lawmaker condemns rising violence appeared first on Tribune Online.

Lionel Messi became the leading goalscorer in FIFA World Cup history on Monday as Argentina defeated Austria 2-0 in their Group J clash, with the veteran captain delivering another decisive performance for the defending champions.

The 39-year-old forward scored twice to take his World Cup tally to 18 goals, moving past German legend Miroslav Klose’s long-standing record and cementing his place at the top of the tournament’s all-time scoring charts.

Messi had already drawn level with Klose’s mark of 16 goals after netting a hat-trick in Argentina’s 3-0 opening win over Algeria. Against Austria, he went one step further, producing another standout display to set a new record.

The Argentine skipper thought he had opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 38th minute, but the goal was disallowed following a VAR review. The setback proved brief.

Just two minutes later, Facundo Medina delivered a precise pass into the box, and Messi calmly finished to give Argentina a 1-0 lead.

Austria struggled to break down Argentina’s well-organised defence and were further frustrated before half-time when Stefan Posch was booked.

Argentina controlled possession for much of the second half, though Austria remained in the contest until the closing stages. Medina, who assisted the opening goal, was cautioned in the 76th minute, while Konrad Laimer was also booked for Austria.

With Austria pushing forward in search of an equaliser, Argentina sealed the result in stoppage time. After Leandro Paredes received a yellow card in the second minute of added time, Messi struck again three minutes later with a clinical finish to make it 2-0.

The victory strengthens Argentina’s position at the top of Group J and moves them closer to qualification for the knockout stages, while Austria face a difficult path to progression.

Argentina Beat Austria 2-0 As Messi Breaks World Cup Record is first published on The Whistler Newspaper