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FIRE RAVAGES PADOFEC PLAZA IN ABUJA, HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS LOST

A devastating fire has ravaged PADOFEC Plaza, a commercial complex located near Trademore Mega Estate in the Lugbe area of Abuja. The blaze broke out earlier today and quickly engulfed parts of the plaza, completely destroying a shop that specialized in electrical appliances. The total value of items lost is yet to be confirmed, but early estimates suggest damages running into hundreds of millions of naira. According to eyewitnesses, the shop was not connected to any power source, adding to the mystery surrounding the incident. “It is still unclear what caused the fire, but we will get to the bottom of it,” a spokesperson for the authorities is expected to say as investigations begin. Firefighters responded swiftly to the scene to bring the blaze under control, preventing further destruction. The cause of the fire remains a mystery, with authorities expected to launch a full investigation to determine the origin of the inferno. The incident has left business owners and residents in shock, with many calling for a thorough probe to ascertain the cause of the fire. As investigations continue, business owners are left to pick up the pieces and assess the damage. The full extent of the losses is yet to be determined, but it is clear that the fire has dealt a significant blow to the business community in the area.

TAKE IT BACK MOVEMENT PROTESTS CYBERSECURITY ACT, RIVERS STATE EMERGENCY RULE

Protesters under the umbrella of Take It Back Movement have taken to the streets of Abuja, Lagos, and Port Harcourt to demand the repeal of the Cybersecurity Act and cancellation of the State of Emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State. The demonstrations, which began early Monday morning, saw protesters dressed in their trademark orange berets gathering at designated rally points, chanting slogans, and singing solidarity songs. In Lagos, protesters gathered at Ikeja Under Bridge, while their counterparts in Abuja converged on Eagle Square. However, the Abuja protest was disrupted when police fired tear gas canisters to disperse the crowd. The protesters are criticizing the Cybersecurity Act for its provisions, which they claim are used to target opposition voices, journalists, and ordinary citizens expressing opinions online. Juwon Sanyaolu, national coordinator of Take It Back Movement, stated that the core demands of the protesters include repealing the Cybercrime Act and ending emergency rule in Rivers State, which the group describes as “a form of military dictatorship under President Bola Tinubu’s administration”. This development comes amid growing criticism of the emergency rule, with some Nigerians in diaspora also condemning the move and vowing to take further action, including protests in major US cities. The Nigeria Police had warned against the timing and intent of the protest in a press release on Sunday, urging demonstrators to stay off. Despite this, the protesters remain resolute in their demands for change.

VICE PRESIDENT KASHIM SHETTIMA RETURNS TO ABUJA AFTER EID-EL-FITR CELEBRATION IN MAIDUGURI

Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Abuja after observing Eid-El-Fitr in his home state of Borno. The Vice President had departed Abuja on Sunday evening and arrived in Maiduguri later that night. In a statement, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media & Communications, Stanley Nkwocha, said during his stay in Maiduguri, VP Shettima hosted a traditional luncheon for Borno State elders and former schoolmates. Nkwocha noted that the Vice President emphasized the importance of national unity and peaceful coexistence among Nigerians during the luncheon. “We should all perfect, maintain, and build on the sense of unity that exists among us for our collective gain and progress as a gift for one another,” the Vice President said, as stated by Nkwocha. Nkwocha’s statement highlighted the Vice President’s commitment to promoting national unity and peaceful coexistence. The Vice President’s visit to Maiduguri was seen as an opportunity for him to connect with his roots and celebrate Eid-El-Fitr with his community. Nkwocha’s statement confirmed that the Vice President has since returned to Abuja, marking the end of his brief visit to Borno State.

SORROW TEARS AND BLOOD IN ABUJA TANKER EXPLOSION

Many feared dead and multiple vehicles have been torched in an inferno that occurred following the explosion of a tanker carrying Compressed Natural Gas alleged to belong to Dangote group. The tragic incident that happened on the Kugbo-Karu bridge axis off of Abuja-Nassarawa express way, has left the area in a massive gridlock as vehicular movement have been largely affected. According to updates as the incident unfolds, as at the time of publishing this, for over 2 hours, there is yet to be any official first responder, law enforcement, emergency services etc. Videos show casualties including vehicles and wounded humans. See video below. This story is developing and CTN is following it up. Updates as event unfolds.

JUST IN: CNG TANKER EXPLODES IN ABUJA

A Compressed Natural Gas Tanker has just exploded on the Karu bridge in Abuja. Visual information made available by an eyewitness indicate that as at the time the tanker was still burning fiercely. A voice from the video could be heard calling for anybody with access to call fire service that people were burning. Find video below

IMMIGRATION OFFICER ARRESTED WITH ASSORTED FIREARMS IN ABUJA

A personnel of the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) has been arrested by police operatives attached to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command for possessing assorted firearms and ammunition. The suspect, whose identity has not been disclosed, was apprehended around the Zuma area of Abuja on Monday afternoon. According to sources, the officer was unable to provide a reasonable account of how he obtained the weapons and where he was taking them, leading to suspicions of a possible arms deal with criminals. The arrest followed an intelligence report from informants about a missing person. The recovered weapons included rifles and pistols, with a source revealing that “We recovered four AK-47 magazines; four magazines of CZ Scorpion rifle; two CZ Scorpion rifles, 139mm ammunition and two Diakon and CZ pistols”. FCT Commissioner of Police (CP) Olatunji Disu confirmed the arrest, stating that the suspect was being interrogated. “They have just brought the suspect before me and he is being questioned. That’s all I can confirm at the moment,” he said.

EXPLOSION ROCKS ISLAMIYYAH SCHOOL IN ABUJA, KILLS ONE STUDENT, INJURES FOUR OTHERS

A suspected bomb explosion has occurred at an Islamiyyah school in the Kuchibiyu Community of Bwari Area Council, Abuja, killing one student and injuring four others. The incident occurred around noon on Monday, January 6, 2025, sending shockwaves through the quiet community located approximately 42 kilometers from Abuja’s city center. According to reports, the deceased student was reportedly carrying a substance suspected to be an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) when it detonated. The explosion caused injuries to other students and widespread panic in and around the school premises. The Chairman of Bwari Area Council, John Gabaya, confirmed the incident, stating that the explosion resulted in one fatality, with the victim dying at the scene. “One person died there immediately. That was confirmed. Four other persons, including a girl, that sustained injuries were rushed to the hospital,” Gabaya said. Gabaya added that the person responsible for bringing the IED to the school has been apprehended by the police for interrogation. He also stated that the injured victims, including a girl who was selling soybean cake near the scene of the explosion, were rushed to the hospital for treatment. “The girl was selling awara (Soyabean cake) when the bomb exploded. Since she was closer to the scene of the explosion, she was also wounded. So, they took the four of them to the hospital,” Gabaya said. The FCT Police Command is yet to issue an official statement on the incident. Efforts to reach the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, were unsuccessful.

SUSPECTS ARRESTED OVER THEFT OF SEWAGE MANHOLE COVERS IN ABUJA

The Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Lere Olayinka, has announced the arrest of suspects involved in the theft of sewage manhole covers on highways in Abuja. According to Olayinka, the suspects were arrested based on a viral video showing individuals involved in the theft. Olayinka stated that efforts are being made to apprehend the collaborators, especially the buyers of the manhole covers. He added that relevant stakeholders are working to stop the vandalism, as directed by the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. Minister Wike lamented the act, saying, “Nigerians could go to the devilish extent of removing sewage manhole covers on highways and selling them, thereby putting the lives of road users at risk.” He vowed that the government will do everything necessary to bring the perpetrators to book.