Japan Earthquake Leaves One Dead, Over 100 Injured As Search Continues

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July 29, 2026

A major search-and-rescue operation is underway in southwestern Japan after a powerful earthquake struck Kumamoto Prefecture, leaving several people feared trapped inside a shopping mall, damaging buildings, sparking fires and causing widespread disruption.

Emergency responders worked through the night after the 7.1-magnitude earthquake hit on Tuesday afternoon. Authorities reported one confirmed death and more than 100 injuries, while rescue teams continued efforts to reach those believed to be trapped beneath collapsed structures.

Private broadcaster TBS reported that a “considerable number” of people were feared dead inside the Aeon Mall in Kashima after firefighters confirmed that part of the second floor had collapsed during the quake.

By Tuesday night, regional officials said 10 people were believed to be unaccounted for inside the shopping complex, according to public broadcaster NHK. Earlier, police sources quoted by NHK indicated that between 20 and 30 employees of the mall could not be reached.

Police, however, told AFP they could not yet confirm any fatalities inside the severely damaged building. Kyodo News reported that four people were rescued from the mall and taken to hospital, with all of them remaining conscious.

Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae assured the public that rescue operations would continue throughout the night.

Emergency vehicles are seen outside the Aeon Mall Kumamoto in Kashima town, Kumamoto Prefecture, on July 29, 2026 after an earthquake struck the area. Photo by YUICHI YAMAZAKI / AFP

“We will work tirelessly through the night, starting with the rescue and lifesaving of those affected,” the Prime Minister said.

Authorities also expressed concern over another incident at a factory in Yatsushiro City, where part of a chimney collapsed. NHK reported that several workers there were also unaccounted for.

Elsewhere, one person reportedly died after a house collapsed during the earthquake, according to Kyodo News.

Television footage from across Kumamoto showed widespread destruction, including fires, damaged bridges, a derailed cargo train and several homes left dangerously unstable.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) said the earthquake struck at 4:27 p.m. (0727 GMT) with a magnitude of 7.1 and registered the maximum intensity of seven on Japan’s Shindo seismic scale.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) measured the quake at magnitude 6.8.

Several aftershocks followed, including one measuring 6.1 just over 40 minutes later.

Widespread Damage and Power Outages

Residents described scenes of panic as buildings shook violently.

Damage is seen to part of the Aeon Mall Kumamoto in Kashima town, Kumamoto Prefecture on July 29, 2026 after an earthquake struck the area. Photo by YUICHI YAMAZAKI / AFP

Chiharu Hara, a 35-year-old recruitment consultant in Kumamoto, said the experience was frightening.

“The office swayed violently side to side. I was afraid it would collapse. Everyone panicked,” she told AFP.

Videos verified by AFP captured traffic lights, heavy vehicles and streetlights shaking intensely for around 20 seconds, while other footage showed cracked roads and sections of damaged pavement.

The earthquake also forced the closure of several roads, suspended Shinkansen bullet train services across affected areas and temporarily shut Kumamoto Airport before it later resumed operations.

Hospitals across the region received dozens of injured victims.

NHK reported that at least two hospitals admitted more than 50 injured patients each.

“People are coming in with burns and fractures from being trapped under objects due to the earthquake, and ambulances are constantly bringing in injured people,” one hospital worker told NHK.

“Inside the hospital, there are water leaks and electrical system failures.”

The broadcaster also reported that approximately 10 elderly residents sustained injuries at a nursing home.

Prime Minister Sanae confirmed that authorities had recorded “human casualties, building collapses, road damage, fires…,” along with widespread electricity and water outages.

Japan’s military deployed 3,600 personnel and 20 aircraft to support emergency operations and assess the extent of the destruction.

Verified videos circulating online also showed sections of the historic Kumamoto Castle walls collapsing during the tremor.

The Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed that no abnormalities were detected at nearby nuclear facilities.

Kyushu Electric Power reported that around 45,000 homes and facilities lost electricity following the quake, although three nuclear reactors operating in the region continued functioning normally.

Japan’s Ongoing Earthquake Risk

A local NHK journalist reporting live shortly after the earthquake said the tremors continued well after the initial shock.

“Including myself, there may be some people who feel their hearts racing,” the reporter said.

Kumamoto has experienced devastating earthquakes before. In 2016, two powerful quakes measuring 6.5 and 7.3 struck the prefecture within two days, claiming 273 lives and injuring more than 2,800 people.

Japan remains one of the world’s most earthquake-prone nations because it sits along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” where four major tectonic plates converge.

The country experiences hundreds of earthquakes every year, accounting for roughly 18 per cent of global seismic activity. While most are minor, stronger quakes continue to pose significant risks depending on their depth and location.

The nation still bears the scars of the devastating magnitude 9.0 earthquake and tsunami in 2011, which claimed or left missing about 18,500 people and triggered the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

DIA Launches Manhunt After Senior Officer Killed In Abuja Attack

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Favour Enyosa

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July 29, 2026

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The Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) has launched a full-scale investigation into the killing of one of its senior officers, Colonel A.A. Ude, who was fatally shot by suspected gunmen during an attempted abduction at his residence in Abuja.

The Agency disclosed on Tuesday that the attack occurred at about 10:45 p.m. on July 27 at the officer’s residence in Phase 5, Army Housing Estate, Kurudu. According to the DIA, Colonel Ude confronted the armed attackers in an effort to stop them from abducting him before he was shot.

Describing the incident as a tragic loss to Nigeria’s security community, the Agency said Colonel Ude served the nation with professionalism, distinction and unwavering commitment throughout his military career.

The DIA confirmed that security and law enforcement agencies have begun a comprehensive investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the attack and ensure that all those connected to the crime are brought to justice.

According to the Agency, it is collaborating closely with other security agencies to identify, track and arrest the suspects responsible for the killing.

The DIA also extended its condolences to the family of the late officer, his colleagues and the Armed Forces of Nigeria, describing his death as a major loss to the country’s defence and intelligence community.

Reaffirming its commitment to national security, the Agency stressed that the incident would not deter its resolve to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity and safeguard the nation.

It also pledged to continue working with relevant security institutions until those responsible for the attack are identified, apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Senate Says FRSC Bill Only Reinforces Existing Preaching Restriction

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Favour Enyosa

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July 29, 2026

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The Senate has clarified that the proposed amendment to the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Establishment Act, 2007, does not introduce a fresh ban on preaching or hawking inside commercial vehicles, following public concerns over the bill.

According to the upper legislative chamber, preaching and hawking in commercial vehicles have long been recognised as offences under existing laws, particularly Section 10(4) of the FRSC Establishment Act and Regulation 220 of the National Road Traffic Regulations (NRTR) 2012.

The Senate explained that the provision, which was previously listed as Item 36 in the Second Schedule of the Act, has only been renumbered as Item 49 in the current amendment exercise.

In a statement released on Monday by the Office of the Senate Leader, the chamber noted that the provision has remained part of Nigerian law since the FRSC Establishment Act came into force in 2007.

The Senate also refuted claims suggesting that the amendment bill seeks to outlaw street preaching or limit religious activities in public places.

“It is about the safety of commuters and other road users and is not intended to undermine any religious activity in the public space,” the statement said.

The upper chamber further clarified that the amendment bill was not sponsored by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, contrary to reports circulating in some quarters.

According to the Senate, the bill originated in the House of Representatives and is currently before the Senate as a concurrence bill, in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

The chamber emphasised that the legislative process is still underway and encouraged individuals and groups with concerns about the bill to present their views through the appropriate legislative channels before its eventual passage.

The Senate reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and public participation, stressing that the proposed amendment is designed to strengthen road safety regulations and improve the protection of commuters and other road users across the country.

APC Replies Peter Obi, Says Party Never Forced Him Out Of Any Political Platform

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Favour Enyosa

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July 29, 2026

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The All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected allegations that it is responsible for the internal crises affecting opposition parties, insisting that former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi’s movement between political parties was entirely the result of his own political decisions.

APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, made the remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, where he dismissed claims that the ruling party had orchestrated the instability and defections within opposition parties.

Addressing allegations that the APC played a role in Obi’s departure from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the Labour Party and his subsequent political realignments, Yilwatda described the claims as unfounded.

“Nobody in APC chased Peter Obi out of PDP. Nobody from APC chased him out of the Labour Party; nobody in APC chased him out of the Labour Party to ADC. Who chased him from ADC again to the NDC?” he queried.

The APC chairman argued that Obi had been switching political parties long before the APC came to power at the federal level, stressing that the ruling party could not be held responsible for decisions made by opposition figures.

Yilwatda also dismissed suggestions that recent defections from the APC were a sign of internal divisions, maintaining that many politicians who exited the party did so primarily in search of electoral tickets rather than because of ideological differences or dissatisfaction with the party.

He stated that the APC remains united and continues to enjoy widespread support across the country. According to him, one year into his tenure as national chairman, the party has delivered on key commitments aimed at strengthening its internal structures while expanding its political base ahead of future elections.

COAS Appoints New GOCs As Nigerian Army Expands With Four Additional Divisions

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Favour Enyosa

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July 29, 2026

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The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has approved the appointment of General Officers Commanding (GOCs) for newly created Nigerian Army divisions following the expansion of the Army’s command structure to strengthen security operations across the country.

The appointments come after President Bola Tinubu approved the establishment of four additional Nigerian Army divisions as part of efforts to enhance operational capacity, improve command and control, and strengthen responses to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.

In a statement shared on the Nigerian Army’s official X account on Wednesday, the Army said the new divisions would commence operations once they attain Initial Operational Capability (IOC), while further steps would be taken to achieve Full Operational Capability (FOC).

“The landmark development forms part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the Nigerian Army’s force structure, expand its operational footprint, enhance command and control as well as improve the Service’s capacity to effectively respond to Nigeria’s evolving security challenges,” the post read.

The Army explained that activating the new divisions in phases would ensure “seamless operationalisation, operational continuity and rapid force projection across the country.”

New Operational Areas For Army Divisions

Under the new operational structure, the 1 Division Kaduna will oversee Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Jigawa states, while the 2 Division Ibadan will cover Oyo, Osun, Ekiti and Ondo states.

The 3 Division Jos will be responsible for Plateau, Bauchi and Gombe states, while the newly established 5 Division Makurdi will oversee Benue, Nasarawa and Kogi states.

The 6 Division Port Harcourt will continue operations in Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states, while the 7 Division Maiduguri will retain responsibility for Borno and Yobe states.

The 8 Division Sokoto will continue to supervise Sokoto, Kebbi and Zamfara states.

Meanwhile, the newly created 9 Division Ilorin will oversee Kwara and Niger states, while the 10 Division Jalingo will be responsible for border areas in Taraba and Adamawa states.

The 81 Division Lagos will continue to cover Lagos and Ogun states, while the 82 Division Enugu will remain responsible for Enugu, Anambra, Abia, Ebonyi and Imo states.

The 83 Division Benin City is expected to assume responsibility for Edo, Delta and Bayelsa states once it becomes operational later this year.

Senior Officers Appointed To Lead New Divisions

To provide leadership for the newly established formations, Lieutenant General Shaibu approved the deployment of experienced senior officers.

Major General Yakubu Yahaya has been appointed General Officer Commanding 9 Division Ilorin and Commander of Operation SAVANNA SHIELD, following his redeployment from Headquarters Joint Task Force (North Central).

Major General Chinedu Ralph Nnebeife has been named GOC 10 Division Jalingo after his redeployment from Headquarters 2 Division/Sector 3 Joint Task Force (North West), Operation FANSAN YAMMA.

Major General Moses Gara has been appointed GOC 5 Division Makurdi and Commander of Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, following his redeployment from the task force headquarters.

According to the Nigerian Army, the restructuring and appointments are intended to improve operational efficiency and enable quicker responses to security threats across the country.

“The newly established Divisions will immediately commence operations, in the respective locations, on attainment of Initial Operational Capability (IOC), while deliberate measures are being implemented to progressively attain Full Operational Capability (FOC),” the Army stated.

The military added that the expansion forms part of its broader strategy to build a stronger, more responsive force capable of addressing Nigeria’s changing security landscape.

US Walks Out Of UN Security Council Meeting During France’s Remarks

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Favour Enyosa

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July 28, 2026

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The United States delegation staged a walkout during a United Nations(UN) Security Council meeting on Monday in protest against remarks by France, which accused Washington of aligning with authoritarian governments on human rights issues.

The diplomatic dispute stems from last week’s vote on extending the tenure of Volker Turk as the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, during which the United States joined North Korea and Russia in opposing his reappointment.

Following the vote on Friday, France’s mission to the United Nations criticised Washington and drew comparisons between the US, North Korea and Russia.

“The US used to be a beacon of human rights. Not anymore,” France’s UN mission posted on X.

Responding to the criticism, US Ambassador Mike Waltz accused France of supporting a human rights chief who had been “lecturing” democratic nations while “cozying up to the world’s worst oppressors,” although he did not specify the countries he was referring to.

Turk has previously criticised Russia over its war in Ukraine and also raised concerns about Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

The US delegation walked out while France’s UN Ambassador Jerome Bonnafont was addressing an emergency Security Council meeting focused on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

Following the protest, US Ambassador Dan Negrea said Washington would continue similar actions until France changed what he described as its “condescending and disrespectful rhetoric.”

The disagreement over Turk’s second term reflects broader tensions between the United States and the United Nations.

Despite US opposition, Turk secured a second term after receiving 144 votes in favour, while 10 countries voted against and 13 abstained.

The dispute comes as the Trump administration continues to reduce engagement with the United Nations, having already cut funding to several UN agencies and withdrawn from numerous UN bodies.

During Friday’s vote, US Ambassador Jeff Bartos criticised Turk’s reappointment and warned that the decision would have consequences.

“There will be consequences” to the assembly which “tolerates procedural overreach, backroom deals, and the misuse of UN posts”.

He added:

“The United States will immediately reassess our engagement, participation, and funding.”

France, however, defended Turk’s leadership, with Ambassador Bonnafont describing him as “a voice of conscience”who had shown “rigor and impartiality” throughout his first term.

Deputy UN spokesperson Farhan Haq declined to comment directly on the US walkout, stating only that the United Nations expects all member states to respect the outcome of the General Assembly’s decision.

Netanyahu Heads To US For First Trump Talks Since Iran War

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Favour Enyosa

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July 28, 2026

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet United States President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday in their first face-to-face meeting since the outbreak of the Iran war, despite recent public disagreements between the two leaders.

Although relations between Netanyahu and Trump have appeared strained at different points in recent months, both leaders have since sought to ease tensions.

The meeting is expected to focus primarily on the ongoing conflict, which began after US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February. Washington has indicated that it is now seeking to create room for diplomatic negotiations.

Israel has not participated in the latest wave of hostilities between the United States and Iran, which reignited earlier this month after an April ceasefire collapsed.

Tuesday’s engagement marks the eighth meeting between Trump and Netanyahu since the US president returned to office last year, and their first in-person talks since the war began.

Speaking before departing Israel on Monday, Netanyahu described the visit as both an honour and a significant responsibility.

“This is a great privilege, but it is also a great responsibility,” Netanyahu said.

He added:

“We will discuss all the issues on the agenda, first and foremost Iran. Naturally, our goal is to safeguard our security and also to expand the circle of peace around us.”

Iran Expected To Dominate Discussions

The leaders are expected to devote much of their discussions to the Iran conflict and efforts to revive diplomacy following months of escalating tensions.

Relations between Trump and Netanyahu came under pressure in April during negotiations surrounding the ceasefire, with Trump reportedly expressing frustration in a series of profanity-laced remarks directed at the Israeli leader.

In a subsequent interview, Trump referred to Netanyahu as a “very difficult guy.”

Netanyahu later dismissed suggestions of a major fallout, describing their differences as strategic rather than fundamental.

According to the Israeli prime minister, both governments remain aligned on the broader objectives of the conflict despite differing approaches.

Lebanon, Gaza and regional security also on agenda

The White House meeting is also expected to cover the implementation of the US-backed framework agreement signed by Israel and Lebanon last month, although putting the deal into effect has proven challenging.

Gaza is also expected to feature in the discussions as international efforts to revive reconstruction in the war-ravaged territory continue to face significant obstacles.

Nearly three years after the Israel-Hamas conflict began, humanitarian conditions in Gaza remain severe, while Israel continues military operations targeting individuals it identifies as militants.

Experts See Meeting As A Show Of Unity

Yonatan Freeman, an international relations expert at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, believes one of the key objectives of the meeting is to counter speculation of growing divisions between Washington and Tel Aviv.

“I think that the main issue… is to show the world, to show Iran, and also even Lebanon and others as well specifically, that there is no break or any kind of major disagreement between the United States and Israel,” he told AFP.

He added:

“There’s more in agreement between the two leaders than disagreement.”

According to Freeman, the differences between Trump and Netanyahu relate mainly to operational issues such as timing, intensity and immediate military objectives, rather than the overall goals of the war.

He also suggested that Trump is likely to prioritise discussions on Iran and expanding the Abraham Accords over developments in Gaza.

Abraham Accords And Regional Military Presence

The Abraham Accords, brokered by the United States during Trump’s first term, established diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Morocco.

Some analysts also expect the meeting to examine the possibility of reducing Israel’s military presence in parts of the region, including Lebanon, Syria and Gaza.

Netanyahu’s visit comes as Israel prepares for national elections later this year, with the prime minister seeking another term in office.

Recent opinion polls suggest Netanyahu is trailing his rivals, as criticism persists over his government’s handling of Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, which triggered the Gaza war.

Japan Issues Tsunami Alert After 7.1-Magnitude Earthquake

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Favour Enyosa

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July 28, 2026

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Japan has issued a tsunami alert after a 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck the country’s southwestern region on Tuesday, disrupting electricity supply to thousands of homes.

The earthquake occurred at 4:27 p.m. (0727 GMT) on the island of Kyushu and registered the maximum level of sevenon Japan’s Shindo seismic intensity scale, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.

Authorities warned that tsunami waves of up to one metre (three feet) could reach affected coastal areas.

Japan’s public broadcaster NHK reported that waves close to that height may already have been observed.

The Nuclear Regulation Authority confirmed that no abnormalities were detected at nearby nuclear power plants following the earthquake.

According to Kyushu Electric Power, about 45,000 households and facilities in the Kumamoto region lost electricity after the tremor.

The utility company also stated that the three nuclear reactors operating in the region continued to function normally despite the quake.

Approximately 30 minutes after the earthquake, an NHK reporter wearing protective gear described the situation during a live broadcast, saying the aftershocks remained intense.

“Shaking is continuing as I speak. Including myself, there may be some people who feel their hearts racing,” he said.

He added:

“When the quake struck, the shaking was so big that I could not stand up. Please be aware of possibility that shaking might continue after this.”

Japan’s History Of Major Earthquakes

The Kumamoto region has experienced devastating earthquakes in the past. In 2016, the area was struck by two powerful earthquakes—measuring 6.5 and 7.3—which claimed 273 lives and left more than 2,800 people injured.

More recently, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck northern Japan on June 25, although it did not result in any deaths or significant damage.

Japan remains one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world because it sits atop four major tectonic plates along the Pacific “Ring of Fire.”

The country, with a population of approximately 125 million, experiences hundreds of earthquakes each year and accounts for nearly 18 per cent of global seismic activity.

While most tremors are relatively minor, their impact often depends on the location and depth of the earthquake.

Japan continues to live with the memory of the 2011 magnitude 9.0 undersea earthquake, which triggered a devastating tsunami that left around 18,500 people dead or missing and caused the Fukushima nuclear disaster.

Earlier this year, on April 20, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck northern Japan, injuring at least 10 people and shaking high-rise buildings as far away as Tokyo.

The incident prompted authorities to issue a special advisory warning of an elevated risk of earthquakes measuring 8.0 or higher, although that advisory was withdrawn after one week.

Several Feared Trapped As Two-Storey Building Collapses In Ogun

By

Favour Enyosa

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July 28, 2026

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An unspecified number of people are feared trapped after a two-storey building collapsed in the Ajuwon area of Ifo Local Government Area, Ogun State.

The incident reportedly occurred near Bada Hospital, close to Ajuwon Bus Stop, on Tuesday.

According to eyewitness accounts, two floors of the building caved in, while the uppermost section of the structure remained partially standing.

The collapse has raised concerns that several occupants may still be trapped beneath the debris as rescue efforts are expected to commence.

As of the time of filing this report, emergency management agencies had not released an official statement confirming the number of casualties, survivors or the status of ongoing rescue operations.

FG Suspends Kara Bridge Expansion Joint Repairs

By

Favour Enyosa

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July 28, 2026

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The Federal Government has postponed the planned reconstruction of the failed expansion joint on Kara Bridge (Outward Lagos) along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

The announcement was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Acting Federal Controller of Works in Ogun State, Richard Adeleye, who said a new date for the project would be communicated in due course.

The latest development comes days after the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos Sector Command, announced that the reconstruction would begin on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, and continue for two weeks.

Speaking earlier through the Sector Public Education Officer, SRC Elizabeth Jayeola, the FRSC quoted the Lagos Sector Commander, Corps Commander Kehinde Hamzat, as saying the reconstruction was a critical safety measure designed to prevent road crashes, protect the structural integrity of the bridge, and improve safety for motorists.

Hamzat had explained that the repair work would require reducing the existing four-lane carriageway to two lanes along a 1.5-kilometre section of the bridge, warning that the temporary arrangement would likely cause heavy traffic, especially on the outward Lagos-Ibadan route.

To minimise congestion, the FRSC appealed to organisations, institutions and businesses with remote work capabilities to allow employees to work from home throughout the reconstruction period.

According to the Corps, the measure would significantly reduce traffic volume and ease movement for commuters using the affected corridor.

Motorists were also advised to plan their trips ahead of time, avoid travelling during peak hours where possible, and make use of alternative routes, including the Ikorodu–Sagamu Expressway and the Lekki–Epe Expressway.

Kara Bridge has recorded several major accidents over the years, with the most recent being a fatal multi-vehicle crash involving articulated trucks and a Toyota Sienna on July 24, 2026.

Authorities linked the accident partly to the deteriorating expansion joints on the bridge and excessive speeding. The incident claimed one life and left several others injured.

The Federal Ministry of Works had resumed replacement of the bridge’s expansion joints in March, with the then Federal Controller of Works, Olayiwola Komolafe, stating that the maintenance exercise would last for two weeks.

However, the repairs were later suspended after motorists experienced prolonged traffic gridlock that persisted for several days.