Abia State Government has said that a petroleum pipeline laid about seventy years ago is responsible for the explosion that occurred in Umuololo Owaza, Ukwa West LGA of the State.

The  pipeline, which is part of Oil Mining Lease (OML) 11,  exploded at about 1:30 am Monday, causing a serious oil spill that affected people’s homes, farms, schools, shops and livestock.

Inspecting the extent of damage, officials of the Abia State government expressed concern about the environmental impacts the  explosion had on residents of Umuololo.

The State government’s delegation led by Commissioner for Environment, Philemon Asonye Ogbonna and Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Professor Joel Ogbonna,  lamented that several buildings and  other property were severely affected in Umuololo, though no life was lost.

Speaking at the site of the explosion, Abia State Commissioner for Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Professor Joel Ogbonna said that preliminary findings showed that the exploded pipeline  was laid about seventy years ago and should not have  remained in use by 2026.

He directed the oil company that owns the pipeline to immediately clean up the affected community and to replace the old pipeline, in order  to prevent a future disaster.

Also, Abia State Commissioner for Environment, Philemon Asonye Ogbonna, assured the affected villagers that the Abia State government was closely monitoring the situation, saying that efforts were on to address the incident.

Ogbonna said that the administration of Governor Alex Otti is determined to protect Abia communities from environmental pollution, degradation and other safety challenges.

The Nigeria Police Force has clarified a video circulating online showing a police officer allegedly interacting with bandits riding on motorcycles.

CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniesu, Force Public Relations Officer, in a statement described as video as tissues of lies emanating from the pit of hell.

According to the statement, it’s a calculated attempt to destroy the image of the Nigeria Police Force, noting that the video captured a routine interaction between a police officer and security volunteers as they proceeded to a designated operational area in support of efforts to combat criminality and enhance public safety.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the individuals featured in the video are not bandits. They are duly recognized members of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) and registered hunters who are actively supporting ongoing security operations in collaboration with security agencies in Musawa and Matazu Local Government Areas of Katsina State,” the statement said

It said any claim suggesting otherwise is entirely false, malicious, and intended to mislead the public, adding that the police force condemns the deliberate distortion of facts and the circulation of misinformation capable of causing public anxiety, undermining confidence in security institutions, and frustrating ongoing security operations.

It urged members of the public to disregard the misleading claims attached to the video and rely only on information disseminated through official channels of the Nigeria Police Force and other authorized government sources.

The Force warns individuals and groups engaged in the creation, publication, or dissemination of false information capable of prejudicing public peace and security to desist immediately, as appropriate legal action may be taken against violators.

After spending six months in prison custody without the commencement of substantive trial proceedings, a Taraba State based journalist, Gabriel Olayinka may finally have an opportunity to defend himself in court as the Upper Area Court II in Jalingo, the state capital, has fixed July 2, 2026, for a definite hearing in his case.

The development came on Wednesday after the court, presided over by Justice Lawan Jika, granted a request by the defence for accelerated hearing in the case involving allegations of criminal breach of trust brought against the journalist by one Mr. Isa Jubri.

For Olayinka, the court’s decision represents a significant step in a legal battle that has kept him behind bars for half a year without witnesses being called or substantive proceedings commencing.

For observers, however, the case has become a symbol of growing concerns over prolonged pre-trial detention and delays in the administration of justice.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, prosecuting counsel, Barrister D.G. Tukura, informed the court that the prosecution was still awaiting statements of account and other relevant documents from three commercial banks. He also indicated that key witnesses required for the prosecution’s case had yet to appear before the court.

The request effectively signaled another possible delay in a matter that has already stretched over several months.

However, the defence strongly opposed any further adjournment. Representing Olayinka, Barrister Longs Lugnan of P.D. Pius & Associates argued that the prosecution had repeatedly failed to produce substantial witnesses despite the continued incarceration of his client.

“Justice delayed is justice denied. This matter has suffered prolonged delay while my client remains in prison. We pray for accelerated hearing,” Lugnan told the court.

His argument appeared to resonate with the court, as Justice Jika subsequently fixed July 2, 2026, for a definite hearing, signaling a determination to move the matter forward.

Olayinka’s continued detention has generated considerable attention within media and civil society circles in Taraba State and beyond.

The journalist has remained in custody since his arrest over allegations arising from a complaint lodged by Isa Jubri.

Despite the seriousness of the allegations, critics have questioned why substantive trial proceedings have not commenced after six months, especially in a case involving an accused person who remains incarcerated.

Legal practitioners noted that prolonged detention before trial often raises concerns about the constitutional right to fair hearing within a reasonable time, a principle enshrined in Nigeria’s legal framework.

Although courts are sometimes confronted with procedural challenges, including delays in obtaining documentary evidence and securing witnesses, legal observers argue that prolonged adjournments can undermine public confidence in the justice system.

In a related development, the State High Court sitting in Jalingo, also on Wednesday mentioned Olayinka’s application seeking a review of his bail conditions.

The application is viewed by supporters of the journalist as another avenue through which he may regain his freedom pending the conclusion of his trial.

However, the matter suffered a setback after prosecuting counsel, Barrister Tukura, requested additional time to respond to the application.

He attributed the delay to technical difficulties involving his work device.
Following the request, the court adjourned proceedings on the bail review application until July 6, 2026.
Broader Concerns

The Olayinka case has increasingly drawn public scrutiny not only because of the allegations against him but also because of the length of time he has remained in custody without substantive trial proceedings.

Human rights advocates and legal analysts have repeatedly warned that prolonged pre-trial detention contributes to prison congestion and raises fundamental questions about access to justice.

For many observers, the July 2 hearing date will be closely watched as a test of whether the judicial process can finally move beyond preliminary delays and address the substance of the allegations before the court.

As Olayinka awaits the next hearing from prison custody, attention remains focused on whether the prosecution will be ready to present its witnesses and documentary evidence, and whether the long-awaited trial will finally begin after six months of legal uncertainty.

Bayelsa State chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, has urged Governor Douye Diri to adopt an inclusive leadership approach that prioritizes the interests of Bayelsans over political agendas, concentrating on policies and programs that foster sustainable development, economic growth, and enhance the welfare of the populace.

Speaking with journalists in Yenagoa, the State Chairman of the NDC, Hon. Dauprebo Ikuromo, called on the Bayelsa State Government to “avoid attempts to entice NDC aspirants with financial incentives designed to create rifts within the party.”

Ikuromo asserted that “no form of inducement can divert the NDC from its objective of assuming leadership in the state.”

He recommended that such “resources should be allocated instead to tackle the state’s urgent developmental issues, including the situation of the commissioned but non-operational gas turbines.”

In response to concerns regarding reported discontent within the party, the NDC Chairman indicated that a comprehensive grievance redress mechanism has been established under the leadership of Senator Henry Seriake Dickson.

He added that the party’s National Executive Council will release the list of candidates for various positions within the timeframe set by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Ikuromo also commended the National Leader of the NDC for his exemplary conduct during the party’s primary elections.

He characterized Dickson’s leadership as commendable, highlighting his ability to manage the primary election process nationwide with fairness, tact, and wisdom, thereby ensuring equitable opportunities for all aspirants.

The Bayelsa NDC further recognized Senator Dickson’s dedication to the inclusion of youth and women in the party’s primaries, describing this initiative as aligned with the principles of affirmative action and enhanced political participation. According to the party Chairman, such policies are vital for cultivating a robust and inclusive political movement.

The NDC chairman, however, called on party members and supporters across Bayelsa State to remain united and focused on the party’s objective of taking over governance from what he described as a ruling party that has failed the nation.

The death of a 14-year-old boy in Ilobu, Osun State, has sparked a fresh war of words between the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Imole Campaign Council, with both sides accusing each other of politicising the tragedy ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.

DAILY POST recalls that a teenager, identified as Ezekiel Olapade, was reportedly killed during a shooting incident on Sunday near the Irepodun Local Government Secretariat, Ilobu with nother person also injured during the attack.

The incident has generated widespread concern in the state and intensified political tensions, as rival political parties continue to trade accusations over the circumstances surrounding the killing and the reactions that followed.

The APC, in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, criticised Governor Ademola Adeleke’s visit to the bereaved family, alleging that the occasion was transformed into a political event.

According to Olabisi, “the governor should have focused solely on mourning with the family rather than making remarks that the party interpreted as political in nature.

“Such an occasion for strictly mourning the young lad was inappropriate for Governor Adeleke to have turned it to a campaign ground as it could be likened to the state chief executive doing the wrong thing at the wrong time and wrong place,” he said.

The opposition party also questioned the governor’s comments regarding the incident, arguing that it was improper to attribute responsibility for the killing before the conclusion of police investigations.

Olabisi stated, “It didn’t add up and unexpected of a worthy chief executive to have bypassed the police in their investigation when he named the opposition party as being responsible for the killing.”

The APC alleged that there were contradictions in the governor’s position after he reportedly called for a police investigation while simultaneously expressing views on those responsible for the attack.

Meanwhile, the Imole Campaign Council dismissed the APC’s allegations and accused the opposition party of attempting to exploit the teenager’s death for political advantage.

In a statement signed by its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, the council expressed concern over what it described as an increase in political violence in Osun State and called on all political actors to exercise restraint.

Olajengbesi said the loss of innocent lives should unite stakeholders in the pursuit of peace rather than deepen political divisions.

“The recent escalation of political violence in Osun is a threat to us all. The loss of innocent lives has no place in a civil society. Democracy cannot thrive where citizens live in fear,” he said.

The council also urged security agencies, including the Inspector-General of Police, to ensure that all residents receive equal protection regardless of political affiliation and warned against selective enforcement of the law.

Olajengbesi maintained that electoral contests should be determined through public support and democratic participation, adding, “Democracy demands persuasion, not coercion.

Political parties should compete with ideas, policies, and performance, not with conduct that threatens public peace and safety.”

The controversy followed allegations by the deceased’s father, Gbenga Olapade, who claimed that his son was struck by a bullet while trying to assist his mother during the chaos.

He also alleged that armed men opened fire near a palm wine bar owned by his wife and the deceased teenager’s mother and that security personnel at the scene failed to intervene as the attackers arrived.