A chieftain of the Kaduna State chapter of the Social Democratic Party, SDP, Bashir Zakariya, has died in an auto-crash along the Zaria–Kaduna highway on Thursday.

Until his death, Zakariya was the SDP chairman of Zone One senatorial district in Kaduna State.

According to party officials, the late Zakariya was travelling from Zaria to Kaduna when the crash occurred along the ever-busy highway, which led to his instant death.

In a statement by the publicity secretary of the party, the late Zakariya was described as a man of integrity, courage and vision, whose passion for justice and democracy inspired many within and outside the party.

The party spokesman said that the deceased stood for truth, spoke with conviction, and worked tirelessly to grow the SDP in Zone One and beyond.

Following the accident, the SDP in Kaduna appealed to the state and federal governments to intensify efforts to reduce the frequent accidents on the Zaria–Kaduna Expressway.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command said it has recovered a stolen Toyota Matrix vehicle with registration number KRJ 944 in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a press statement issued on Thursday, July 3, 2025, in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital.

The police spokesperson said operatives of the command, working along the Ikot Ekpene–Umuahia road, in collaboration with a Joint Task Force patrol team, on Monday, June 30, 2025, at about 4 pm, intercepted the said vehicle. She said the driver, who was unknown to the team, claimed to be a Naval officer when stopped.

She explained that upon interrogation, the suspect could not provide satisfactory identification or documentation to support his claim, adding, “as officers intensified questioning, the suspect suddenly abandoned the vehicle and fled into a nearby forest. All efforts to apprehend him at the time proved abortive.”

John said preliminary investigation revealed that the vehicle was reported stolen in Rivers State.

The Rivers State Police Command was immediately contacted, and a man (name withheld) came forward, presenting valid documents and confirming ownership of the car.

Crown FC head coach, Ayodeji Ayeni, has revealed the team’s mission ahead of the Nigeria National League promotion play-offs.

Ayeni said that the Super Eight play-off is an important competition for every player in the second-tier league.

Crown FC will battle with seven other teams for the four available slots for promotion to the Nigeria Premier Football League, NPFL, next season.

“We’re ambitious and we’ll do our best,” Ayeni said ahead of the play-off competition in Asaba on Saturday, July 5, 2025.

“The Super 8 is an important competition for every player, and we are all looking forward to giving our best to do the state proud.”

OSUNDAILY NG recalls that Crown FC last played in the NPFL in 2014.