馃嚦馃嚞NigeriaWest Africa
Lagos emergency services avert major disasters from gas tanker fire and supermarket blaze
via Punch Nigeria10 min read
Lagos emergency responders successfully contained two separate fire incidents on Thursday, preventing major disasters and recording no casualties. In Ikotun, a gas-laden tanker caught fire after striking a road bump, causing the driver to lose control and a tire to burst. The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency LASEMA, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, Federal Road Safety Corps, and Nigeria Police collaborated to extinguish the blaze and manage traffic. LASEMA Permanent Secretary Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu urged motorists to obey speed limits. Separately, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service confirmed a fire at the electronics section of a Justrite Superstore in Egbeda-Akowonjo. Controller General Margaret Adeseye reported that firefighters quickly contained the fire, which preliminary findings suggest originated from an alternative power source, specifically the building's solar inverter system. Both incidents were brought under control with no loss of life or injuries.
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The Abia State Police Command has confirmed the mysterious death of five members of the same family in Umuimo, Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area. The victims, identified as Mr Kachi Nnabugwu, his wife, Chinaza, and their three children, were found dead inside their residence on Tuesday. The incident was reported to the Osisioma Divisional Police Headquarters on July 22, 2026, by the deceased's brother after he was unable to reach them. Upon forcing entry into the house, the lifeless and decomposing bodies were discovered. Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Maureen Chinaka, stated that detectives visited the scene, conducted a preliminary visual inspection, and took photographs. The bodies have been deposited at the morgue for preservation and autopsy, with investigations ongoing. Residents reported the family was last seen on Saturday, July 18, and neighbors forced entry after repeated failed attempts to contact them. Containers of leftover food and a generator were reportedly found in the building. The circumstances surrounding the deaths remain unclear.
Credit extended to Nigeria's private sector reached N83.3tn in June 2026, marking a 2.8 percent increase from N81tn in May. This data comes from the Central Bank of Nigeria's latest Money and Credit Statistics. Conversely, credit to the government saw a 0.99 percent decline, falling to N40tn in June from N40.4tn in May. Consequently, net domestic credit grew by 1.5 percent to N123.3tn in June, up from N121.42tn the previous month. This rise in private sector lending indicates that banks are continuing to provide credit to businesses and households, even with the Central Bank of Nigeria's high-interest rate policy. Analysts suggest that sustained credit growth could foster business expansion, investment, and overall economic activity. However, there is also a concern that if credit growth outpaces the economy's productive capacity, it could lead to increased inflationary pressures. The figures highlight a persistent demand for financing despite the Central Bank of Nigeria's tight monetary policy, which aims to control inflation and stabilize prices.
Must ReadNigeria's broad money supply increased to N133.25tn in June 2026, up from N129.21tn in May, according to data released by the Central Bank of Nigeria CBN. This growth occurred despite the CBN maintaining its benchmark Monetary Policy Rate at 26.5 percent. The N4.04tn month-on-month increase indicates expanding liquidity in the economy, primarily driven by higher domestic assets and growth in quasi-money. Quasi-money, which includes savings and time deposits, rose to N88.54tn from N84.58tn, while demand deposits increased to N39.78tn from N39.43tn. Currency held outside the banking system decreased to N4.92tn, suggesting more cash remained within the formal banking system. Net domestic assets saw a 4.37 percent rise, reaching N106.73tn, while net foreign assets declined by 1.56 percent to N26.53tn. The overall broad money supply expanded by 3.11 percent month-on-month. Analysts have expressed concerns that this expansion in money supply could complicate the CBN's efforts to control inflation, even as the Monetary Policy Committee decided to keep all monetary policy parameters unchanged to support disinflation and macroeconomic stability.