A Rwandan soldier has reportedly opened fire inside a bar, resulting in the deaths of five civilians in a southwestern Rwandan town.

The incident, which took place early Wednesday, led to the arrest of the soldier, identified by the Rwandan Defence Forces (RDF) as a 39-year-old sergeant. The motive behind the shooting remains unclear, according to the army’s statement.

READ MORE: Fraud: Witness Claims N416m Was Channeled In Proxy Dealings Under Ex-Gov Obiano

“The RDF has arrested the suspect and will take necessary legal action against him,” said the military in an official release.

In a similar case, Rwandan soldiers faced accusations in 2020 after allegedly raping and assaulting civilians during the Covid lockdown in the Kangondo slum of Kigali, the nation’s capital. The incident, involving six soldiers, raised significant public concern at the time.

This tragic event has drawn national and international attention, with calls for swift justice for the victims.

The Kwara State University (KWASU) has clarified that Ayeyemi Sulaiman, reportedly killed by the police in the Tanke area of Ilorin, Kwara State, is not a current student of the Institution.

According to a statement from Dr. Saeedat Aliyu, the acting Director of University Relations, Sulaiman had voluntarily withdrawn from the university’s Department of Statistics in the 2018/2019 academic session when he was in his second year.

READ MORE: Give Me Baby Girl, Yul Edochie Tells Wife Judy Austin

Dr. Aliyu expressed KWASU’s condolences, stating, “The management of Kwara State University strongly sympathises with the family of the deceased and prays that God gives the family the fortitude to bear the loss.”

In response to the incident, the Kwara State Police Command confirmed the death and stated that an investigation is ongoing. Police spokesperson DSP Ejire-Adeyemi Toun said some officers have been detained and are undergoing an orderly room trial at the Police Headquarters.

“The Kwara State Police Command is aware of this unfortunate incident which led to the sudden death of Suleiman Olayinka (M) 27yrs,” Toun said, adding that officers involved had been identified and detained as part of the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has set a December 1, 2024, deadline for state governments to implement the recently approved N70,000 minimum wage.

This ultimatum, announced in a statement following the NLC’s National Executive Council meeting, also criticized fuel marketers for allegedly inflating petrol prices, claiming these hikes exploit Nigerians amid rising economic hardship.

The NLC’s communique urged workers in states yet to adopt the new wage to prepare for an indefinite strike beginning December 1 if the mandate remains unmet. It emphasized the need to address policies contributing to economic strain and called for policy changes to mitigate poverty.

READ MORE: GEJ Congratulates Trump, Optimistic About Quality Leadership

Despite a presidential approval in July for the wage increase, adoption across states has been slow, though over 20 states have pledged compliance. However, the NLC cautioned it would take action in any state not honoring the new minimum wage by the end of November.

Beyond wages, the NLC raised concerns about petrol prices, alleging that “fat cats” in the industry were padding costs, inflating prices beyond actual market values. It also pressed for the reactivation of local refineries, including those in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna, to help stabilize the domestic fuel market and protect citizens.

As the deadline approaches, the NLC’s stand underscores its commitment to protecting workers’ rights and alleviating financial hardships for Nigerians.