Monday, March 4, 2024

12 dead, 28 injured in Zaria-Kano expressway auto-crash

Kabir Nadabo, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Kaduna State sector commander, says no fewer than 12 persons died and 28 sustained injuries in a road crash along the Zaria-Kano expressway.

Mr Nadabo told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Kaduna that the fatal road traffic crash occurred at Tashar Yari village at 7:36 a.m. on Monday.

“The trailer with a registration number KTG 454 ZZ was travelling to Kano when the unfortunate incident occurred,” Mr Nadabo said.

He said the cause of the crash was wrongful overtaking, speeding and overloading, which sadly resulted in the high number of fatalities.

Mr Nadabo said the Chairman of Makarfi Local Government and the Unit Commander, Tashar Yari, were on the ground to assess the incident.

He said that an investigation of the incident has revealed that 40 people were involved in the crash, 28 got injured and 12 were deceased.

“The injured were conveyed to the Makarfi General Hospital for further treatment.

“The owner of the vehicle, who is in Azare, Bauchi State has been informed and directed to report to the Kaduna Sector Command, while the driver of the trailer was reportedly among the deceased, “he said.

Mr Nadabo said the accident was avoidable, adding, ” Hence our resolve to continue to reach out to the stakeholders, particularly transport unions.

”This is to preach and sensitize their drivers on the dangers of speeding, overloading, dangerous driving and the use of cellphones while driving, among others.

“The Corps in Kaduna will strive to continue to work hard and liaise with transport Stakeholders and the media in preaching the word of safety.”

Mr Nadabo appealed to motorists to imbibe the culture of safe driving, particularly on the highways.

Premium Times

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Residents break into Abuja govt warehouse, steal food

Some residents of the Nigerian capital, Abuja, broke into a government warehouse in the city to loot food items.

The incident happened on Sunday morning, Daily Trust reports. It started around 7 a.m. and continued till about 9 a.m., residents told the newspaper.

Sunday’s incident happened amid the current economic crisis in the country which has seen the prices of goods and services increase by over 200 per cent without a corresponding increase in income.


The cost of living crisis was caused by the removal of subsidies on petrol and the floating of naira; policies justified by the government as necessary for the economy.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the cost of living crisis has led to protests in several parts of Nigeria.

The warehouse looted by the Abuja residents on Sunday was also reportedly looted during the COVID-19 crisis in 2020.

The police, however, told Daily Trust that police officers had arrived at the scene and normalcy had been returned.

PREMIUM TIMES will provide more details of Sunday’s incident in subsequent reports.

By Popoola Ademola, Premium Times

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Nigeria Summons Binance CEO Over Alleged Terror Financing

Binance troubles in Nigeria take yet another turn. After authorities blocked the exchange’s website, shut down its P2P marketplace, and detained two of its executives, the government is now looking to summon Binance’s CEO, Richard Teng, over allegations of terror financing and money laundering.

Nigeria Issues Ultimatum to Binance

Local news outlet Punch reported that Nigeria’s House of Representatives Committee on Financial Crimes has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Binance’s CEO to appear before the committee on or before Monday, March 4.

The regulator’s summoning follows recent allegations of suspicious funds flowing through the exchange’s Nigerian arm in 2023. Central Bank of Nigeria Governor Olayemi Cardoso highlighted that $26 billion had passed through Nigeria via Binance in 2023 from unidentified sources and users.

Chairman of the Committee on Financial Crimes, Ginger Onwusibe, warned that the committee will invoke its constitutional powers if Binance’s CEO, Richard Teng, refuses to appear before the court. Despite repeated invitations, Teng has been unwilling to address the Nigerian government’s concerns regarding compliance with its business and financial laws.

Onwusibe emphasized the committee’s commitment to fighting financial crimes, citing the constitutional mandate to protect Nigerians and the country’s finances.

The allegations of terrorism financing, money laundering, and tax evasion, amongst others, leveled against Binance are damning enough. At this material time, we need all the tax dollars to block the leaks and channels to financing terror.” he added.

Onwusibe concluded by urging Binance to fulfill its obligations, including paying taxes and establishing a physical office for citizen complaints.

Why This Matters

Binance has been under intense scrutiny over the last year from regulators worldwide. Its regulatory woes in Nigeria could further complicate its operations and raise questions about its compliance.

By Insha Zia, DAILYCOIN

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