A gas explosion has rocked a Mobil Oil Company filling station beside the Airport Hotel in Ikeja. It was learnt that the explosion occurred at about 10:49 am on Thursday, August 8, when a gas tanker was discharging its content into a surface storage tank when it ignited. Meanwhile, the fire has been brought under control. The incident caused fear among residents and workers in the area, who were forced to run for their lives and scramble to safety. Eyewitnesses and emergency service officials on the scene revealed that no lives were lost, but many people were injured. Witnesses also reported that some of the injured were rushed to hospitals in private vehicles and minibusses (Korope) before ambulances arrived.

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has today cautioned hunger protesters to avoid calling on “undemocratic forces” using the nationwide protest to call for a military coup in the country. Falana’s comment comes on the heel of where some miscreant were seen waving Russian flags in some states like Kano and Kaduna States on Sunday, chanting in Hausa, “We don’t want bad government.”

As the hunger protest enter day two following the violence recorded yesterday, the Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Olukayode Egbetokun, has placed all police units on red alert for any eventuality. More so, the police chief is also considering seeking assistance from the Nigerian military to stop the violent protesters in some states.

Borno, Kano, and Yobe state governments have declared a 24-hour curfew following the aftermath of the nationwide hunger protest that have turned into violent in most states across the federation. Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf has declared a curfew during a press conference he convened at the government house Kano yesterday.

The Federal Government has increased security at the nation's borders in preparation for the upcoming nationwide protest against the economic challenges facing the country. President Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and several state governors have been holding meetings with relevant stakeholders. They are urging for peace and requesting the protest organizers to allow the authorities more time to address the country's challenges.

President Bola Tinubu has debunked the allegation that his government is under the manipulation by some interest group in the debacle of the ongoing economic reforms by his administration. Contrary to some insinuations, Tinubu claimed that all his campaign was self-sponsored, without strings, or indebtedness to any individual or institution that may think the government is owing them.