Former heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has been hospitalised following a road accident along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State, an incident that claimed two lives.

The crash occurred shortly after 11 a.m. on Monday in the Makun area, just before the Danco Filling Station and ahead of the Sagamu Interchange on the Ibadan-bound axis. A Lexus SUV conveying Joshua reportedly collided with a stationary truck.

The Ogun State Police Public Relations Officer, Babaseyi Oluseyi, confirmed the incident in a statement, noting that Joshua and other injured occupants were rushed to an undisclosed hospital for treatment.

Eyewitness Adeniyi Orojo said the convoy consisted of two vehicles, a Lexus SUV and a Pajero SUV carrying security personnel.

Joshua was seated in the back of the Lexus behind the driver, with another passenger beside him, while a fourth occupant sat in the front passenger seat.

According to Orojo, the passenger seated beside the driver and the individual seated next to Joshua died at the scene, while Joshua sustained minor injuries.

He added that bystanders initiated rescue efforts before officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps arrived.

Confirming the development, Oluseyi stated that the accident occurred in front of Sinoma, before Danco, along the Lagos–Ibadan Expressway, and assured that further updates would be provided.

Also speaking on the incident, Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotosho, confirmed that the crash took place along the Sagamu Interchange axis of the expressway.

Authorities say investigations are ongoing to determine the exact circumstances surrounding the collision.

Benin City witnessed widespread shock on Sunday, December 28, 2025, following the alleged violent abduction and public humiliation of veteran filmmaker Dr. Don Pedro Obaseki.

The respected Nollywood pioneer and former Managing Director of DAAR Communications was reportedly attacked in broad daylight by a group of armed men, stripped naked, and forcefully dragged through major parts of Benin City in Edo State.

The incident, which has since gone viral on social media, has sparked intense public debate and condemnation, raising serious concerns about human rights abuses, cultural enforcement, and the growing influence of non-state actors within the region.

The recent news on the Incident

According to eyewitness accounts, the incident began at about 11:30 am while Dr. Obaseki was playing a friendly football match with members of the Uwa All Stars at Uwa Primary School.

Without warning, a group of armed men reportedly stormed the football field, physically overpowered him, and forcefully abducted him in full view of players and onlookers.

Dr. Obaseki later recounted that he was brutally manhandled and dragged through several major streets, including Igbisawan Street and Akpapava, before being taken to the Ring Road area.

There, he was allegedly stripped of his clothing in public and subjected to further humiliation. He was then taken to the entrance of the Oba of Benin’s Palace, where he was reportedly forced to kneel before a gathering of people.

Following the incident, he was taken to a police station along Oba Market Road, where he was eventually released after the intervention of the Edo State Commissioner of police

The Alleged Reason Behind the Attack

The filmmaker disclosed that his attackers claimed they were acting on instructions connected to the Palace over what they described as a serious breach of traditional protocol. According to Dr. Obaseki, the alleged offense stemmed from a statement he made during a recent trip to London.

Instead of using the traditional salutation reserved for the Oba of Benin, which translates to “May the Oba live long,” he reportedly said, “May Edo people live long and prosper.”

This variation was allegedly interpreted as a sign of disrespect toward the revered monarch.

Dr. Obaseki, who has spent decades promoting Benin history and culture through iconic films such as Igodo, described the experience as deeply traumatic and degrading.

He stated that he had never felt so humiliated, adding that the incident struck at the core of his identity, heritage, and pride as a Benin man.

Demand for Accountability

The alleged assault has drawn widespread condemnation from civil society groups, legal practitioners, cultural commentators, and political figures across the country. Many have described the incident as barbaric, unlawful, and a direct violation of fundamental human rights.

Former Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki, who is related to the victim, issued a strong statement denouncing the attack.

He described it as a gross abuse of power and urged security agencies to act swiftly and decisively to ensure justice is served. He warned that allowing such acts to go unpunished could encourage lawlessness and undermine public confidence in the rule of

As public pressure mounts, attention has turned to the Edo State Police Command, which has been called upon to identify, arrest, and prosecute all those involved in the abduction and assault.

Human rights advocates have also demanded a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident.

Meanwhile, the Oba of Benin’s Palace and the Benin Traditional Council have yet to issue an official statement to confirm or deny any connection to the actions of the alleged attackers. This silence has further fueled speculation and calls for clarity.

In a bold move to break the core of terrorism and banditry in Nigeria’s hinterlands, the Federal Government has deployed more than 7,000 newly trained Forest Guards across seven frontline states.

The deployment follows their graduation on December 27, 2025, marking the first active phase of the Presidential Forest Guards Initiative, a coordinated multi-agency security strategy designed to eliminate criminal sanctuaries in the country’s so-called “ungoverned spaces.”

Graduation ceremonies were held simultaneously in Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Sokoto, Niger, Kwara, and Kebbi states, bringing to a close an intensive three-month training program.

The program was structured to transform locally recruited personnel into highly skilled field operatives capable of confronting armed groups deep within forested terrain.

Why the Forest Guards Were Launched

For years, Nigeria’s dense forest reserves, including notorious zones such as the Kamuku, Sambisa, and Kainji corridors, have been exploited by bandits and terrorist networks.

These groups converted the forests into operational headquarters, launching deadly attacks on nearby communities and retreating into areas that conventional security forces often find difficult to penetrate.

The urgency of the initiative is reflected in a grim record of violence and abductions. In states such as Kebbi and Niger, hundreds of schoolchildren were kidnapped from their classrooms and forced into remote forest hideouts.

In recent months, areas described as a “corridor of impunity” between Kwara and neighboring states witnessed worshippers abducted from churches and travelers disappearing along major highways.

Over time, these forests evolved into parallel power zones where criminals ran mass kidnapping rings, trafficked weapons, and carried out illegal mining, all shielded by difficult terrain and weak state presence.

President Tinubu’s decision to establish the Forest Guards is a direct response to this security breakdown, signaling a strategic shift from largely reactive, city-centered operations to proactive control and dominance of forest environments where criminal groups thrive.

Key Significance

The Forest Guards are far more than ordinary security personnel. Instead, they serve as an important support force within Nigeria’s security system, with their value built around three main strengths.

Knowing the land and local information is the foundation of the plan. The guards were recruited from their respective Local Government Areas, giving them deep familiarity with forest routes, hidden footpaths, caves, and water sources commonly used by bandits.

According to National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, this ability to “read the forest” allows them to detect unusual movements and identify the covert arrival of criminal cells long before attacks are launched.

Holding Ground addresses one of the military’s longstanding challenges. Security operations have often followed a “clear and leave” pattern, where troops flush out bandits only for them to return once forces withdraw.

The Forest Guards are tasked with maintaining a continuous, armed presence within these areas, preventing criminals from regrouping and reclaiming territory.

Special training prepares the guards for real forest combat. Their training combined physical endurance with advanced tactical field skills, including ambush response, hostage rescue operations, and extended patrol simulations.

The curriculum was tailored specifically to the close-range, high-risk combat environment typical of bush warfare dominated by AK-47–armed groups.

How the Initiative Helps Nigerians

The deployment of the Forest Guards is expected to produce far-reaching benefits for national security and economic stability. By reclaiming forest territories, the government aims to revive rural livelihoods.

Farmers displaced by fear of kidnapping and violence can safely return to their farmlands, a development that could help reduce food inflation and stimulate local economies.

The initiative also strengthens trust between communities and the state. Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq described the move as a “game changer,” warning that terrorists now face a clear choice to abandon the state or face severe consequences.

As the guards begin sustained patrols, they offer long-awaited reassurance to rural communities that have endured years of insecurity and neglect.

With plans already in place to expand the program nationwide, the Presidential Forest Guards Initiative represents a long-term commitment to restoring territorial control and ensuring that no part of Nigeria’s landmass remains a safe haven for terror or organized crime.

A 15-year-old girl, identified as Endurance Sabo, has reportedly lost her hand following a violent attack linked to an alleged attempt to force her into marriage in Goska community, Kaninkon Ward, Kafanchan, Jama’a Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The incident occurred on Friday, December 14, 2025, while Endurance was on her family’s farm with her mother and other relatives. According to family sources, a group of suspected Fulani herdsmen approached them at about 10:00 a.m. and demanded that the girl be handed over for marriage, reportedly calling her by name and commenting on her appearance.

Her mother initially dismissed the demand as a joke, but the men allegedly persisted. Family members said the suspects later trailed them from a distance and waited in nearby bushes until evening.

At about 6:30 p.m., as the family was returning home on foot while waiting for a motorcycle, the attackers allegedly ambushed them. A family member recounted that the assailants first confronted the group, checked the faces of the women present, and then forcefully seized Endurance after identifying her.

She was reportedly dragged into a nearby forest, where her hand was brutally severed. She was later rescued and rushed to the General Hospital in Kafanchan before being referred to a private medical facility for emergency treatment. Due to the severity of her injuries, she was subsequently transferred to the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Plateau State, where she is currently receiving further medical care.

The family confirmed that five suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack, although they alleged that about nine men were involved.

Residents of Goska community have expressed growing concern over rising insecurity in the area, citing fears linked to forced marriages, banditry, and violent attacks. Community members say the incident has heightened anxiety among parents, particularly regarding the safety of young girls.

In response to the incident, the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Jama’a Local Government Area, Hon. Hassan Yaro Jashua, visited Endurance at the General Hospital in Kafanchan prior to her transfer to Jos. Photographs from the visit were shared publicly.

The family and concerned residents have called on the Kaduna State Government and security agencies to ensure a thorough investigation and full prosecution of all suspects involved. They are also demanding comprehensive medical and psychological support for the victim, as well as compensation for her and her family.

Authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.

The Lagos State Government has announced a temporary traffic diversion on part of the Third Mainland Bridge ahead of the Eyo Festival scheduled to hold on Saturday.

In a travel advisory issued through the state government’s social media platforms, residents and motorists were advised to plan their movements in advance, as vehicular access would be partially restricted around Lagos Island.

“Vehicular movement on major Lagos Island streets, especially along the procession routes, will be restricted or fully closed to allow the traditional Eyo procession to move safely,” the advisory stated.

As a result, the government outlined several key routes on Lagos Island that will be temporarily shut to traffic.

These include the Third Mainland Bridge exit to Adeniji Adele Road; Adeniji Adele ramps both inward and outward at Oyebanji; and Adeniji Adele inward to the Third Mainland Bridge at Church Bus Stop.

“Descending the Simpson Bridge to Sura from Osborne; outward Sura inward Osborne by Simpson Bridge; outward Sura inward Obalende Bridge; and Third Mainland exit to Sura.”

Other locations expected to be affected by the traffic restrictions include Obalende, CMS, Marina, Apogbon and Idumota.

Commuters were therefore encouraged to make use of alternative routes during the period of the diversion.

“Motorists are advised to plan their journeys, as LASTMA officials will be deployed to all diversion points for a seamless flow of traffic,” the notice added.

The Eyo Festival, last staged in 2017, is widely known for its distinctive white-clad masquerades as well as its colourful chants, dances and rich cultural symbolism.

Regarded as a cultural heritage of the Lagos people, the festival is one of the country’s most recognisable traditional celebrations, and this year’s edition is expected to attract both local and international attention.

A building was destroyed in Offa, Kwara State, following a reported drone bomb incident that occurred just hours after the United States announced airstrikes on ISIS-linked terrorists in Nigeria’s North West.

Videos circulating widely on social media showed the damaged structure, with residents recording debris believed to be remnants of a drone bomb. Eyewitnesses said a loud explosion was heard moments before the building was struck.

The incident came shortly after US President Donald Trump announced that American forces had carried out airstrikes against ISIS terrorists in Sokoto State. As of the time of filing this report, Nigerian authorities had not confirmed whether the Offa incident was a separate attack or connected to debris from the airstrikes conducted in the North West.

Earlier on Friday, the Federal Government confirmed ongoing security and intelligence cooperation between Nigeria and the United States. In a statement signed by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the government said the collaboration had resulted in “precision airstrikes on terrorist targets in Nigeria’s North West.”

The US military action followed weeks of warnings by President Trump, who had called on Nigeria to take stronger measures against terrorism, particularly attacks on Christian communities, or face possible unilateral intervention. He also redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.”

While the Federal Government has rejected claims of an ongoing genocide against Christians, it confirmed that high-level security engagements have taken place with US officials to address the concerns raised.

The Nigerian government, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has confirmed that United States military airstrikes were carried out against terrorist groups in northwest Nigeria on Thursday.

In an official press release, the government affirmed its ongoing structured security cooperation and intelligence collaboration with the United States, describing the operation as a coordinated effort to combat violent extremism.

According to the statement, the airstrikes were precise and focused on targeting terrorist hideouts in the region.

The government emphasized that violent extremists and terrorists would no longer find safe haven in any part of the country, noting that such acts remain a direct affront to Nigeria’s core values.

“Cooperation between Nigeria and the US has led to precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes in the North West,” the statement partly read.

“This cooperation includes the exchange of intelligence, strategic coordination, and other forms of support consistent with international law, mutual respect for sovereignty, and shared commitments to regional and global security.

“Nigeria reiterates that all counter-terrorism efforts are guided by the primacy of protecting civilian lives, safeguarding national unity, and upholding the rights and dignity of all citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity.

“Terrorist violence in any form whether directed at Christians, Muslims, or other communities remains an affront to Nigeria’s values and to international peace and security.

“The Federal Government continues to work closely with its partners through established diplomatic and security channels to weaken terrorist networks, disrupt their financing and logistics, and prevent cross-border threats, while strengthening Nigeria’s own security institutions and intelligence capabilities.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to engage relevant partners and keep the public informed through appropriate official channels.”

Earlier on Thursday night, US President Donald Trump announced that the United States had carried out what he described as successful and deadly military strikes on terrorist targets in northwest Nigeria.

The US Department of War also confirmed the operation, indicating that the strikes followed warnings issued to the terrorists to stop killing innocent Christians and forcibly displacing people from their homes.

The department further warned that additional airstrikes could follow if terrorist activities persist.