Tragedy in Nigeria: 32 Killed as Military Plane Crashes into Swamp
32 people, including airmen, soldiers, crew members, and family members of military personnel, lost their lives yesterday when an ATR-42 plane crashed into a swamp opposite the Naval Base at Igbokoda, Ondo State. The ill-fated aircraft, which went down in the early hours of the morning, was carrying not just military personnel but also their relatives, among them children returning to school and loved ones who had visited their breadwinners serving in Edo and Delta states. According to sources, the turboprop aircraft was on a logistics mission to Lagos, part of Nigerian Air Force (NAF) operations, and had afforded families the opportunity to travel together. Authorities have delayed releasing the names of the victims, as some were civilian passengers, with efforts ongoing to notify their families first. President Bola Tinubu, mourning the loss, ordered an immediate investigation into the crash and declared a three-day national mourning period. Throughout the country, flags will fly at half-mast in tribute to the fallen officers and their families. Local officials confirmed the incident and cited bad weather as a likely cause. Ilaje Local Government Chairman, Maurice Oripelaye, reported that military gear was recovered from the site, stating, “Our findings showed that it was poor weather condition that affected the pilot. He was trying to maneuver, but the poor weather condition affected the pilot. It crashed into a swampy area very close to the water, at the back of Naval Base.” Police spokesperson DSP Jimoh Abayomi urged residents to remain calm and called on the public to avoid spreading unverified information, assuring that further details would be shared as investigations continue. Immediately following the accident, the Nigerian Air Force activated a search and rescue operation, with Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame confirming that the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed. Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, confirmed on social media that air traffic control lost contact with the plane at about 9:13 a.m., and that all 25 passengers and seven crew members perished. Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, expressed heartfelt condolences to the Nigerian Air Force and the families of the victims, and mobilized state emergency agencies to assist in rescue and recovery efforts. The crash site has been cordoned off to allow unhindered operations, with local leaders urging the community to cooperate with authorities. Eyewitnesses in Igbokoda described hearing a loud sound and scenes of panic as the community rushed from the area. The Olu of Igbokoda, Oba Afolabi Odidiomo, said “a substantial part” of the aircraft was submerged in swamp water and, based on initial reports, feared there were no survivors. In a statement, President Tinubu praised the sacrifice of the Air Force personnel and assured that their service would never be forgotten. He commended first responders and pledged the continued support of his administration to the Nigerian Air Force and the families affected by the tragedy. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Bank of Ghana Arrests Seven in Crackdown on Money Bouquets
In a coordinated operation with the Ghana Police Service, the Bank of Ghana (BoG) has arrested seven individuals in Accra for allegedly using cedi banknotes to create money bouquets and cakes for commercial sale. The suspects were apprehended at different locations across the capital as part of a targeted effort to curb the misuse of Ghana’s currency. Dianah Bondzi, Head of the Statistics Office at the Currency Management Department of the BoG, explained that the arrests form part of a broader enforcement campaign to protect the integrity of Ghana’s legal tender. “The Bank of Ghana wishes to issue a warning to the general public for using the banknotes and coins to create money bouquets, money cakes for weddings, for birthdays, for graduations, and other similar events, which constitutes the misuse and abuse of the currency, and it is illegal and unlawful,” Ms. Bondzi stated. She emphasized that the cedi must be treated with respect, and warned that anyone who engages in, aids, or promotes such activities risks arrest and prosecution. “From here, they will be prosecuted,” she confirmed, adding that sanctions under the Currency Act can include fines or imprisonment. The central bank’s action follows an earlier public notice issued on July 14, 2026, which cautioned against using currency notes and coins as decorations, including in money bouquets, jewellery, and other artistic creations. The notice also prohibits practices such as spraying money at events, scattering, stepping on, tearing, crumpling, or otherwise defacing banknotes and coins. According to Ms. Bondzi, the BoG, together with law enforcement agencies, has intensified enforcement to safeguard the quality and functionality of the cedi. She urged individuals, businesses, and institutions to handle the currency responsibly and to report any suspected violations to the authorities. “Today’s arrest should serve as a clear warning to the public. Let us all handle the Ghana cedi with dignity,” Ms. Bondzi concluded. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Vice President Advocates Practical Support for Teachers at 2026 Ghana Teacher Prize
At the 2026 Ghana Teacher Prize ceremony held on Monday, October 5, Vice President Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang delivered a heartfelt message on the enduring impact teachers have on their students’ lives. Addressing an audience gathered to honour exceptional educators, she emphasized that the profound responsibility entrusted to teachers must be matched by real, tangible support from the state. “A teacher’s influence on a child can last a lifetime. The responsibility we place on teachers must be matched by practical support,” Prof. Opoku-Agyemang stated, highlighting the crucial role teachers play in nurturing integrity, care, and professionalism in the next generation. She outlined the government’s ongoing investments in education, noting improvements in school infrastructure, the provision of educational resources, and initiatives aimed at enhancing teachers’ welfare. “The Teacher Dabrɛ Initiative seeks to improve accommodation, particularly for teachers serving in underserved communities. We are also working to ease the pressures of double-track schooling and resolve administrative challenges affecting teacher placement, promotions, and remuneration,” she revealed. Acknowledging the rapidly changing world facing today’s children, the Vice President called for classrooms to evolve accordingly. “Teachers must therefore have access to continuous professional development, appropriate technology and the tools required to prepare learners for the realities of the future,” she said. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang also addressed concerns raised by teacher unions, assuring the teaching community that the government is engaging stakeholders to work through their issues collaboratively. “Building the education system we want requires us all to continue working together in the interest of our children,” she said. To conclude the ceremony, the Vice President extended her warmest congratulations to all award recipients and expressed deep appreciation for teachers across Ghana who continue to serve with dedication, often in demanding circumstances. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
NDC Deputy General Secretary Admits Telling EOCO to Arrest Manhyia South MP
A major political stir has erupted after Mustapha Gbande, Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), openly admitted instructing the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to arrest Manhyia South Member of Parliament, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah. Speaking on JoyNews, Mr. Gbande clarified that his call for arrest was not linked to the MP’s role as a lawyer for senior nursing officer Salomey Awiti-Baffoe, as some had speculated. Instead, he said his directive was prompted by concerns over the MP’s conduct and a firm belief that no one should ignore an invitation from law enforcement. “I told him to arrest him. I wouldn’t lie about it,” Mr. Gbande stated. “I met the EOCO boss; I told him to arrest the guy. Let the whole world come to an end. Arrest him.” Mr. Gbande argued that Baffour Awuah should have simply honoured EOCO’s invitation, made the necessary statement, and left, rather than hold a press conference over the issue. The controversy began on September 23, 2026, when EOCO officers attempted to arrest the MP at the Accra High Court. According to EOCO, the arrest was part of an ongoing investigation and followed two previous invitations sent to the MP in February 2026—both of which, the agency said, went unanswered. However, the operation was called off after officers assessed that proceeding could jeopardize public safety. MP Baffour Awuah, meanwhile, disputed parts of EOCO’s narrative. He claimed the officer who approached him at court failed to provide proper identification or an arrest warrant, and that he became suspicious when the officer insisted he travel in their vehicle instead of his own. The situation intensified on September 30, when the High Court granted EOCO authority to arrest Baffour Awuah and search for documents related to their investigation. The court directed that the warrant be executed through the Speaker of Parliament. EOCO’s probe focuses on alleged unauthorized financial transactions involving SIC Life Savings and Loans, including suspected financial loss, dissipation of public funds, and money laundering. Baffour Awuah, who explained that his former law firm represented SIC Life Savings and Loans in recovering funds from another institution, reported himself to EOCO on October 1, accompanied by his lawyers and other MPs. He was charged with three offences, pleaded not guilty, and was released on GH¢10 million bail with two sureties. The next hearing is set for October 26. Amid the ongoing case, Mr. Gbande dismissed suggestions that law enforcement agencies must announce intended arrests in advance. “There’s no law that says that when a law enforcement agency is doing its work, it should come to media houses and tell them that I’m going to arrest somebody,” he said. Mr. Gbande further insisted that no political office-holder should see themselves as above the law. “Never should I sit anywhere and say that because I am a deputy general secretary of a party, I am bigger than the laws of Ghana,” he emphasized. He concluded that if Baffour Awuah had committed an offence, it was right for law enforcement to take the necessary action. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ghana Catholic Bishops Sound Alarm Over Rampant Drug Abuse Among Youth
The Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference has sounded the alarm over the growing crisis of drug abuse sweeping across the country’s youth. At the heart of their concern is the widespread misuse of tramadol, marijuana, and other easily accessible drugs, which the Bishops warn are having a devastating impact on young people and communities nationwide. Speaking at a recent press briefing, the President of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Most Rev. Matthew Gyamfi, called for urgent and targeted action. He emphasized that while the fight against narcotics has largely focused on cocaine and other high-profile drugs, the real danger lies in substances that are readily available in Ghanaian villages and towns. “In our villages and towns, we know the young men and women have taken to drugs, tramadol, ‘Red’, marijuana, and this is destroying many, many young men and women,” Most Rev. Gyamfi stated, expressing deep concern over the toll these drugs are taking on the youth. He argued that the national response must recognize the scale and accessibility of these substances. “You should not concentrate only on drugs like cocaine, which is used, but not as massively as marijuana, tramadol, ‘Red’ and other similar drugs that are readily available on the shelves, and young people just go for it,” he noted. The Bishops’ Conference is calling for stronger laws and enhanced enforcement to restrict the importation and illegal sale of these drugs. “They should make laws to ban the importation of these drugs and ensure that they are cleared away from the shelves,” Most Rev. Gyamfi urged. Their plea forms part of a broader campaign to address the escalating drug menace and its consequences for Ghana’s future generations. The Bishops are urging authorities not only to intensify crackdowns on illegal drug supply, but also to expand efforts to prevent substance abuse among the nation’s youth, safeguarding their wellbeing and the health of communities across the country. Source: Apexnewsgh.com
Ghana’s Rape Laws Under Scrutiny: Calls for Reform to Protect Male Victims
The President of the Young Lawyers Association, Noah Ephraem Tetteh Adamtey, recently brought national attention to a significant gap in Ghana’s rape laws. Speaking in the wake of a troubling incident involving a ride-hailing driver, Mr. Adamtey recounted the chilling ordeal: the driver alleged that three women, who had booked his vehicle, overpowered him during the trip and forced him to have sex against his will. Despite his resistance, the driver was ultimately subdued, left confused and hesitant to report the crime, uncertain if, as a man, he could even be considered a victim of rape under Ghanaian law. Mr. Adamtey explained that Section 98 of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960 (Act 29), which defines rape, does not recognize a man as a possible victim. As a result, men subjected to forced sexual acts by women cannot pursue rape charges. However, he clarified that the law is not entirely silent: such conduct could be prosecuted as indecent assault when there is forcible, non-consensual sexual contact. This allows the state to pursue criminal charges against perpetrators, even if the term “rape” does not apply. The Young Lawyers Association President further noted that if a victim is prevented from leaving a vehicle after being overpowered, the law could also support charges of assault, battery, and false imprisonment. Sections 84 and 85 of Act 29 offer grounds for prosecution in cases where someone is forcibly restrained or subjected to unwanted physical contact. Nonetheless, Mr. Adamtey observed a troubling disparity: the penalties for indecent assault and false imprisonment are generally less severe than those for rape, which is treated as a serious felony. This, he argued, leaves a gap in legal protection for men who experience sexually exploitative acts by women. While criminal charges may be possible, the resulting punishments may not match those imposed in conventional rape cases. “If the manner in which the woman had sexual contact with the man rises to the level of unnatural canal knowledge, then the punishment may be equivalent to that for rape,” Mr. Adamtey said. “In such a circumstance, the man could receive a remedy similar to what a woman would get if a rape charge was brought.” Describing the issue as one requiring thoughtful policy consideration, Mr. Adamtey stressed the importance of determining whether Ghana’s laws adequately protect male victims of non-consensual sexual violence. He emphasized that while the current definition of rape excludes male victims, there are still legal remedies available, albeit with potentially lighter penalties. Source: Apexnewsgh.com