Video - Many feared dead after filling station blast in Nigeria's Lafia town

An unknown number of people are believed to have been killed in an explosion at a filling station in the central Nigerian town of Lafia. Scores are reportedly badly burned. It's not clear yet what caused the explosion. Local media reports suggest there was a leak in a pipe from a tanker offloading liquefied natural gas. Others claim a spark at the fuel station caused the blast. There are conflicting reports of the death toll. The injured are being treated at hospitals in Lafia. Emergency services have been praised for their rapid response to the explosion.

Video - Nigeria gets first Netflix Original starring Genevieve Nnaji

International TV streaming service, Netflix, is making its headway to Africa gradually. The company recently entered the Nigerian market by acquiring the world rights to Genevieve Nnaji’s Lion Heart film.

The movie will be showing on Netflix international platforms. The movie is Genevieve Nnaji’s first movie to direct. Lion Heart also premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival in Canada where Kenya’s Rafiki movie will also be screening.

Netflix already has several South African shows on its platform. Kenya might be next to this growing company.

35 dead in gas tanker explosion in Nigeria

At least 35 people were killed on Monday and hundreds were injured when a gas tanker exploded in the northern Nigerian state of Nasarawa, an emergency services official said.

The accident happened as the truck was unloading at a gas station along the Lafia-Makurdi road linking the capital city, Abuja, with northern and southern Nigeria, said Usman Ahmed, acting director of the State Emergency Management Agency.

The agency was investigating the explosion, he said.

“We have confirmed 35 dead and over a hundred injured,” Mr. Ahmed said. “Most of those that died rushed to the accident spot to see what was happening.”

In June, at least nine people were killed in Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos, when a gasoline tanker caught fire and burned 53 other vehicles.

New York Times

Amateur rugby players in Nigeria train hoping to qualify for World Cup

A former Nigerian rugby player has returned home from overseas to help develop the sport in the country with an eye on international competitions. Unlike football, Rugby is yet to make its mark in Nigeria.

Video - Nigerian FA bans coach Salisu Yussuf over bribery scandal

We begin with a developing story from Nigeria. The country's Football Association has banned Salisu Yussuf, the Chief Coach of the country's senior national team the Super Eagles, after he was caught on camera accepting a thousand-dollar bribe.