Metro
Caution Your Supporters Against Inciting Comments, Police Tell Presidential Candidates
The Nigerian Police Force has asked the presidential candidates of the leading political parties to caution their supporters against making statements capable of disrupting the peace of the nation as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) continues the collation of results from across the nation.
The Police gave the warning in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Muyiwa Adejobi, and made available to news men.
The statement in full:
In furtherance of the close monitoring of the ongoing 2023 electoral exercise, and consequent upon a series of intelligence reports, and high expectations from all angles, the Nigeria Police Force has deemed it necessary to charge Presidential Candidates of all political parties, most especially APC, PDP, LP and NNPP, to caution their party stalwarts and supporters to avoid making inciting comments capable of unnecessarily heating up the polity and creating undue excitement amongst the electorates and the general populace in the country.
The NPF, having assessed the trend of scaled-up expectations and psychological projections on the ongoing electoral process viz-a-viz collation of results, charges all presidential candidates, as leading and respected figures in their respective political parties, to seize the opportunity of this waiting period to emphasize the rule of law, respect for the Constitution, and constituted authority amongst their supporters, as we all owe a duty to ensure that the nation does not fall into anarchy on the basis of interests and sentiments.
The Force similarly reiterates the need to desist from mounting undue pressure on the electoral process viz-a-viz the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the body which is constitutionally mandated with the conduct of elections and announcement of results, as all hands are on deck to speedily conclude collation of results and declare the winner.
While commending the general populace and electorates for their patience thus far and largely lawful conduct around the country, the Police, therefore, encourages presidential candidates to admonish their supporters to uphold the tenets of the Peace Accord recently signed for the smooth conduct of the 2023 general elections.
The management, staff and students of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, have been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of a Part Three medical student of the institution, Timilehin Toromade.
Announcing the death on Tuesday in a release signed by the university’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olanrewaju, and obtained in Osogbo, the management said Toromade was believed to have died in his sleep in the early hours of Tuesday.
Giving further details surrounding the incident, the management said Toromade, with matriculation number CLI/2022/133, possibly died after 2 a.m. on Tuesday, as one of his roommates reportedly opened the door for another medical student occupying the same building around that time.
“The Management of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, has received with profound shock, deep sorrow and a heavy heart the devastating news of the sudden passing of an eighteen-year-old Part Three student of the College of Health Sciences, Department of Medicine and Surgery — who reportedly died in his sleep in the early hours of today, Tuesday, 6th of January, 2026,” the statement read in part.
In a condolence message, the OAU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Simeon Bamire, condoled with the family of the late student, his classmates, colleagues and friends.
Describing the incident as “deeply painful and distressing,” Bamire further said: “The entire University community is united in grief over the untimely departure of a student who had embraced the rigours of medical training with the hope of, one day, healing others and serving humanity. His passing has left a void in the hearts of his peers and all who knew him.
“The loss of a young life filled with promise, purpose, and potential is a tragedy that words alone cannot adequately capture.”
The management assured the public that it was “working closely with relevant authorities to fully understand the circumstances surrounding this unfortunate incident, in line with established medical procedures.”
It also said the university was putting in place appropriate support measures to assist students and members of the university community who had been emotionally affected by the tragic loss.
“At this moment of collective mourning, we, University, call on students, staff, alumni, and friends of the institution to remain calm, compassionate, and prayerful, and to uphold the values of empathy and solidarity for which the Great Ife is renowned,” the management said.
A socio-cultural organisation in Ikot Abasi LGA of Akwa Ibom State, Mboho Ukpum Ete, has strongly condemned the killing of a 13-year-old boy allegedly by soldiers.
In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Engr Patrick Udoma, the group described the incident as “unacceptable” and demands immediate justice.
“The President General of Mboho Ukpum Ete expresses sadness over the unprofessional conduct of army personnel attached to Sterling Petrochemical,” the statement said.
“This act has thrown the entire clan into mourning, and we insist that the perpetrators be identified and punished in accordance with the law.”
The Army Public Relations Officer of 2 Brigade, Mbiokporo, Captain Lawal Bala Mohamed, confirmed the incident, saying the Military Police has taken over the matter, adding that it is under investigation.
He assured the public that the Nigerian Army does not condone misconduct by its personnel and that justice would be served.
Traffic was significantly disrupted on the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos on Tuesday afternoon after a high-capacity commercial bus caught fire, authorities said.
The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) said the incident occurred at about 1:00 pm near the Adekunle area of the bridge on the inbound lane toward Iyana Oworo axis.
In posts on its official X account, LASTMA confirmed the bus blaze was slowing traffic on one of Africa’s busiest bridges. Officials said efforts were underway to extinguish the fire, with Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service personnel at the scene.
There were no immediate reports of injuries or casualties, and the cause of the fire is still unknown.
The Third Mainland Bridge, which spans about 11.8 kilometres and connects Lagos Island to the mainland, handles heavy daily traffic and is often affected by accidents and other incidents.
