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Tag: Lagos

  • Police refute claims of political bias in Lagos

    Police refute claims of political bias in Lagos

    The Police command in Lagos State has dismissed allegations linking its personnel to partisan politics, describing the claims as false, misleading, and damaging to the command’s reputation.

    The command’s deputy spokesperson, DSP Babaseyi Oluseyi, made this known in a statement issued on Saturday in Lagos.

    He firmly distanced police personnel from insinuations associating them with political parties or partisan activities within the state.

    Oluseyi said, “The allegations by a section of a political party that our personnel support one party against another are false, misleading, and a disservice.”

    He explained that joint police teams, including conventional officers, tactical squads, and anti-riot units, had been deployed to patrol Alimosho Local Government Area and other parts of Lagos.

    According to him, the deployment, which began on Sept. 4, aims to prevent crime, ensure public safety, and maintain peace across the state.

    He added that no political party or individual had lodged complaints at any police station in Alimosho or elsewhere in Lagos regarding alleged attacks or reprisals.

    “The deployed teams have remained professional and polite, providing security without bias. At no time did officers cover for political attacks,” Oluseyi stressed.

    He further stated that Commissioner of Police, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, had reiterated the command’s neutrality, emphasising its constitutional duty of law enforcement, protection of lives, property, and maintaining peace.

    Jimoh, he noted, urged political stakeholders and residents to channel genuine complaints to the police instead of resorting to mischief or blackmail to mislead the public.

    The commissioner assured that all credible complaints would be addressed promptly and fairly by the command.

    Jimoh also appealed to residents to remain law-abiding, go about daily activities without fear, and assured that Lagos State remains peaceful.

    “The command remains committed to fairness, professionalism, and integrity in safeguarding public safety,” Oluseyi said.

  • Lagos picks 19 gold medals, to win swimming event at National Youth Games

    Lagos picks 19 gold medals, to win swimming event at National Youth Games

    …as Fatodu lauds Sanwo-Olu

    Team Lagos U-15 athletes have achieved an unprecedented performance at the ongoing National Youth Games (NYG) in Asaba Delta State, storming to victory with an astonishing haul of 19 gold, 4 sliver medals, to dominate the swimming event and cement its place as the unrivaled powerhouse in the pool.

    Speaking on the landmark achievement, the Director-General of the Lagos State Sports Commission, Mr. Lekan Fatodu, reiterated that the outstanding results were testaments to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s consistent investment in sports development, modern infrastructure and the nurturing of young talents across the state.

    “The victory of our young champions reflects the Governor’s vision of using sports as a strategic platform for youth empowerment, character building, and international competitiveness. It also reinforces the government’s efforts to deepen community sports and expand opportunities for grassroots participation,” Mr. Fatodu stated.

    He further emphasized that the NYG, an U-15 competition, plays a pivotal role in grooming future stars for Nigeria, as it provides a unique platform for young athletes to test their skills, showcase their potential, and gain invaluable experience on a national stage. Beyond the medals, it serves as a breeding ground where raw talent is transformed into champions capable of representing the country at continental and global levels.

    The Director General lauded the the parents of the young athletes, especially their mothers, who were present all through the swimming event for their exceptional passion, which was a significant motivation for the youngsters to excel.

    Fatodu also commended the hard work of the coaches and staff of the Lagos State Sports Commission, noting that their tireless dedication to training, mentoring, and supporting the athletes was central to Team Lagos’ remarkable performance and exemplifies the teamwork and vision driving the state’s sporting successes.

  • EFCC apprehends 17 suspected internet fraudsters in Lagos

    EFCC apprehends 17 suspected internet fraudsters in Lagos

    Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) have apprehended 17 suspected internet fraudsters in Lagos.

    EFCC confirmed this in a post shared on its official Facebook page on Tuesday.

    It stated that the suspects were apprehended on Tuesday in a sting operation in Olusi Street, HopeVille Estate, Sangotedo, Ajah, Lagos State.

    “Their arrest followed credible intelligence about their alleged involvement in internet fraud,” it stated.

    The agency stated that upon their apprehension, five vehicles, mobile devices and laptop computers were recovered from them.

  • Lagos accident claims 6 lives

    Lagos accident claims 6 lives

    The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) says six persons lost their lives in an accident that occurred at Ibeju, Lekki-Epe Expressway.

    The General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, confirmed the incident in a statement on Monday in Lagos.

    Bakare-Oki said nine other persons who sustained varying degrees of injury were rescued by the authority in collaboration with other emergency agencies.

    “The deceased comprised two adult males, three adult females and one minor,” he added.

    According to him, the nine injured survivors, three males and six females, were extricated by LASTMA with support from other emergency responders.

    “They were immediately conveyed to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Epe and Hammond Hospital for urgent medical attention.

    “The remains of the deceased were deposited at the FMC morgue, pending formal identification by their bereaved families,” he said.

    He added that four individuals escaped unhurt from the wreckage of the tragic incident.

    Bakare-Oki said the victims were promptly attended to by the LASTMA Rescue Unit in collaboration with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC).

    “Their collaborative efforts ensured rapid evacuation and immediate restoration of order at the scene,” he said.

    Bakare-Oki said preliminary investigations revealed that the accident, which involved a blue Volvo FL6 truck conveying wooden planks and a white commercial bus (AKD 336 YD), was caused by speeding and reckless driving.

    The general manager extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and decried the persistent menace of reckless driving on Lagos highways.

    He reiterated LASTMA’s age-long caution that “speed thrills, but ultimately kills.”

    The LASTMA boss admonished motorists to cultivate the virtues of patience, discipline, and defensive driving.

    He noted that speeding endangers not only the life of the driver but also the safety of passengers and other unsuspecting road users.

    He urged motorists to strictly comply with traffic regulations, avoid distractions and maintain full concentration behind the wheel, particularly during the “Ember Months.”

  • Why we defected to ADC — Ex-Lagos PDP chairman, other chieftains

    Why we defected to ADC — Ex-Lagos PDP chairman, other chieftains

    A former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP)in Lagos State, retired Capt. Tunji Shelle, on Saturday resigned his membership of the party, defecting to the African  Democratic Party (ADC).

    NAN reports that Shelle and other  PDP bigwigs as well as some Labour Party members  joined ADC at an affirmation ceremony  in Lagos.

    A former PDP BOT member, Dr Abimbola Ogunkelu, another  former State PDP Chairman, Chief Muritala Ashorobi; PDP Vice Chairman (Lagos East), Tai Benedict; Ex- Youth Leader, Chief Niyi Adams ,and Rahman Owokoniran ,Ex-South West Secretary, were among stalwarts who defected with Shelle.

    The ADC National Secretary, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola,with other ADC chieftains, received  Shelle and others into the party.

    Speaking with NAN, Shelle  said he and and others decided to dump the PDP because of the ” gross indiscipline and endless crises” in the party.

    He said they were disappointed that the leadership of PDP could not halt the “destabilising activities” of some national leaders of the party.

    Shelle  said that  PDP leaders, like the Minister of Federal Capital Territory(FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike,were not working for the progress of the party.

    He accused Wike of working  for the  All Progressives Congress(APC),while still  claiming membership  of PDP.

    Shelle said: Wike cannot hijack the party and the rest of us continue to look as if we are helpless or we are no human beings.

    “I don’t take it. I don’t like being subjected to such ridicule.

    “One man cannot not say he is working for APC while on the other hand keeps holding PDP into ransom. I think the leaders (PDP leaders)are compromised”.

    He said his defection to ADC with other PDP leaders  had  further weakened  the former ruling  party.

    “PDP is now empty with all its leaders moving to ADC in Lagos,” he said.

    Shelle, who noted that ADC had tested and trusted politicians in its fold , said that the party was strong enough to stand against the ruling party in 2027.

    He said that ADC’s Interim Chairman, Sen. David Mark and  Aregbesola, have the capacity to steer the party to victory.

    “There are no distractions in ADC. The party  leaders are not people anyone can buy over.

    “ADC has all it takes  to save the situation in Nigeria and  give the people the country of their dream ,” he said.

    He said the support for ADC was growing by the day and urged Nigerians to join the party.

    “People are behind us, we are not fighting the battle alone.

    “We expect Nigerians to join the movement so that all of us can win together. With Nigerians behind us, ADC will definitely make a difference,” he added.

    Also speaking at the event, Owokoniran, who noted that PDP had lost track, said, ” PDD is gone, there is nothing there. ADC is the only opportunity to challenge the ruling APC.”

    Also speaking, a former PDP Vice Chairman (Lagos East) ,Mr Tai Benedict, said that many more leaders and members of the former ruling party were still on their way into ADC.

    “We are emptying PDP members in Lagos State into ADC. Others are on the way, they want to take their last supper before coming,” Benedict said.

    Also, Chief Niyi Adams, a former Lagos State PDP Youth Leader, claimed that more than 5,000 PDP members defected into ADC across the 20 Local Governments.

    Adams, who decried persistent internal crises  in PDP, said defectors would work assiduously to ensure victory for ADC in 2027 general elections.

    The ex-party chieftain said he did not think  PDP would be able to resolve its crisis even after the November National Convention.

  • Fresh crisis in PDP as Southern leaders disown Lagos zoning meeting

    Fresh crisis in PDP as Southern leaders disown Lagos zoning meeting

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has sunk deeper into crisis over plans by a section of the party to micro-zone its presidential ticket to a particular zone in the south without wider consultations.

    Although some stakeholders in the south are clamouring for zoning, there is no consensus on the zone that would produce the candidates among the Southwest, Southeast and Southsouth.

    Also, some stakeholders have rejected the agitation for zoning to the South, saying that the ticket should be open to the six zones.

    Today, a meeting has been slated for Lagos to discuss the proposal for zoning, with the aim of micro-zoning the ticket to either of the three zones.

    The meeting, tagged the “PDP Southern Zoning Consultative Summit”, was convened by the party’s Zoning Committee at the Legend Hotel, Ikeja.

    There are allegations that some chieftains are rooting for micro-zoning to either Southwest or Southsouth.

    According to The Nation, there have been calls on Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and former President Goodluck Jonathan to join the 2027 presidential race.

    But irked by the micro-zoning move, PDP state chairmen, former governors and National Assembly members disowned the Southern zoning meeting, describing it as divisive and unconstitutional.

    PDP House of Representatives Leader Kingsley Chinda said the Lagos meeting has excluded and sidelined critical party leaders.

    He told reporters in Abuja that any party meeting where zoning, power rotation and distribution of offices are to be discussed, it should be all-inclusive.

    Chinda said the Lagos meeting has brazenly disregarded the statutory organs of the party and violated the criteria of inclusivity, consultation and participation.

    He said, “We dismiss the resolution and outcome of the meeting. It is not binding and not reflective of the opinion of the generality of stakeholders.”

    Chinda said any decision reached in secrecy and seclusion cannot be consensus-driven, adding that it would be resisted in accordance with the constitution of the party.

    He therefore, urged members of the party to disregard the outcome.

    Also, state Chairmen, former governors, National Assembly members, and other key party stakeholders from the South East and South South zones said they were neither invited nor consulted.

    In another statement, the state Chairmen of Imo, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers—Austin Nwachukwu, Abraham Amah, Venatius Ikem, Rt. Hon Aniekan Akpan, and Aaron Chukwuemeka—alongside National Vice Chairman (South-East) Hon. Chidiebere Egwu Goodluck and Chinda, said the meeting’s outcomes should not be recognized.

    The statement read, “The PDP has always stood for inclusivity, fairness, consultation, and collective decision-making. Any meeting that ignores key leaders and elected officials breaks trust, causes division, and threatens party unity. We therefore, reject any outcomes from this summit as neither binding nor representative of the PDP in Southern Nigeria.

    “The meeting is also premature and seems aimed at serving the interests of a few, especially since the Zoning Committee has not yet submitted its report for party approval.”

    “We remain fully committed to the unity, stability, and success of the PDP. We urge all leaders and stakeholders to resist any attempts to manipulate zoning through secretive or unfair methods.

    “The Southeast and Southsouth, together with the South West, stand united in promoting fairness, justice, and equity. As custodians of our members’ mandate, we will defend the integrity of the party and ensure that any decisions affecting Southern Nigeria are made openly, consultatively, and inclusively.”

  • Lagos govt announce closure of major roads in Lagos(See alternative routes)

    Lagos govt announce closure of major roads in Lagos(See alternative routes)

    The Lagos State Government has released a plan to divert traffic around Osborne Road in Ikoyi, Eti-Osa Local Government, for two days, specifically Friday, Aug. 15, to Sunday, Aug. 17.

    The Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Lagos.

    He said that the plan became necessary to minimise the disruption that would occur from connecting the drains along Modupe Alakija Crescent to the drains along the median on Osborne Road.

    “In line with efforts to improve the drainage system on Modupe Alakija Crescent and its environs, there is a need to connect the newly constructed drains, via a cross culvert, to the underground channel beneath the median along Osborne Road.

    “The construction of this cross culvert will require cutting a section of Osborne Road (before Foreshore Towers).

    “The work is scheduled to commence by 10.00 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 15, and end by midnight on Sunday, Aug. 17,” he said.

    He noted that a traffic management plan would be implemented over the two days to minimise disruption.

    He said that this would involve a counterflow arrangement along Osborne/Alfred Rewane Road, spanning approximately 100 meters from Modupe Alakija Crescent to the Alfred Rewane Road junction.

    “Motorists heading to Osborne Road from Alfred Rewane Road will be diverted into a contraflow lane inbound Osborne Road, before reconnecting to their normal lane.

    “Motorists inbound on Alfred Rewane Road from Osborne Road will be restricted to one lane to allow the counterflow.

    “For alternative routes, motorists from Osborne Road heading towards Alfred Rewane Road should use Oba Adeyemi Oyekan Avenue to connect to Glover Road, Lugard Avenue, or Cameron Road to continue their journey.

    “Likewise, motorists heading towards Osborne Road from Alfred Rewane Road should use Glover Road, Lugard Avenue, or Cameron Road to connect Oba Adeyemi Oyekan Avenue before continuing their journeys,” he said.

    Osiyemi pointed out that the road would be fully reopened to traffic on Monday, Aug. 18.

    He said the Ministry of Transportation, through the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), would manage vehicular movements along the corridor to minimise inconveniences.

  • One feared dead, others injured as Venza rams into Keke in Lagos

    One feared dead, others injured as Venza rams into Keke in Lagos

    The life of a commercial tricycle operator was lost on Tuesday with two others sustaining various degree of injuries following  a tragic accident occurred on Egbe Bridge, inward Ikotun, Lagos.

    The incident involved a Toyota Venza and a commercial tricycle, commonly known as “Marwa”.

    Preliminary reports suggest that the Venza, which was reportedly speeding from the Ejigbo axis, attempted a dangerous overtaking manoeuvre atop the bridge. In the process, it collided head-on with the tricycle coming from the opposite direction.

    The impact of the crash resulted in the instant death of the tricycle driver. Two passengers—a man and a woman—suffered multiple fractures and other serious injuries.

    The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) officials swiftly responded to the scene, carrying out a careful rescue operation to extricate the injured victims from the wreckage.

    Officers from the Ikotun Police Division later transported the survivors to the General Hospital in Isolo for urgent medical attention.

    The spokesperson of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, confirmed the incident, noting that the driver of the Toyota Venza fled the scene immediately after the accident.

    Police have since launched a manhunt for the suspect, vowing to bring him to justice.

    “Law enforcement authorities have commenced a concerted manhunt to apprehend the fugitive motorist and subject him to the full rigours of the law,” Adebayo said in a statement.

    Reacting to the tragedy, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and prayed for the swift recovery of the injured victims.

    He also issued a stern warning to motorists about the dangers of reckless driving, particularly on bridges and elevated roads where visibility is limited.

    The LASTMA boss urged all road users to remain vigilant, exercise patience, and strictly adhere to traffic regulations to prevent future tragedies on Lagos roads.

    “This heartrending incident serves as a grim testament to the lethal consequences of impatience and the blatant flouting of traffic laws,” Bakare-Oki said.

    “It is imperative that all road users cultivate discipline, foresight, and an uncompromising adherence to safety protocols to avert needless tragedies on our roads.”

  • FLOOD ALERT! 198 communities in trouble as FG issues notice of relocating(See list)

    FLOOD ALERT! 198 communities in trouble as FG issues notice of relocating(See list)

    The Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) has warned of flooding in certain parts of the country, including Lagos, Rivers, the FCT, and 28 other states.

    In a flood alert issued on Thursday, NIHSA said the alert followed rising river levels and persistent rainfall across the country.

    The agency’s Director General, Umar Ibrahim, cautioned of high to very high flood risks between August 7 and August 21.

    It listed the affected states to include Adamawa, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, FCT, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, and Nasarawa.

    Others, it said, are Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara.

    A total of 198 LGAs and 832 communities fall within the projected flood impact zone, NiHSA said

    “Possible disruption of major transportation routes is anticipated,” NIHSA stated, citing data from its colour-coded flood risk map.

    The agency urged emergency management stakeholders to activate their response protocols and advised that evacuation plans be put in place for communities at risk.

    It also encouraged residents and stakeholders to follow its weekly state-level and community-specific forecasts and to stay informed via the NIHSA flood dashboard and official social media platforms.

    The alert is part of NIHSA’s ongoing efforts to mitigate the growing impact of seasonal flooding, which continues to displace thousands and damage infrastructure annually.

    ‘Move Now’

    The latest advisory comes amid a warning by the Lagos State Government for residents in parts of Lekki, Ikorodu and Ajegunle areas of the state to relocate from lowlands to highlands to avoid being victims of flooding.

    “Those around the Ajilete axis of Lagos, that’s Ajegunle, they have to move. Those around the coastline of Ikorodu; Majidu, have to move. Some areas around the Lekki corridor, too, not all,” Tokunbo Wahab said on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Tuesday.

    “Epe had always been safe, Mushin will be safe, Ikeja will be safe,” the environment commissioner stated, warning residents of Isheri in the OPIC area of the state to also be on alert.

    Wahab said Lagos, as a coastal city, is exposed to the vagaries of climate change and will experience flash flooding this year.

    The official said, based on predictions by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Lagos would experience much more rain this year than last year.

    “For those who stay in the lowland of Lagos, they have to move to the upland pending when the rain recedes,” he said.

    Some communities in Lagos State, Nigeria’s commercial capital, were flooded on Monday after marathon rainfall that started Sunday night and thundered on, uninterrupted till Monday evening.

    Viral videos showed submerged houses and vehicles in parts of the state as residents delicately navigated pool-like streets and roads, which overflowed from clogged drainage channels and canals. The environmental situation paralysed trade and economic activities in the nation’s commercial hub.

    However, Wahab sued for calm, and assured residents of the state that the government has been on top of the matter, clearing drainage channels and expanding flood paths to mitigate the impact of nature.

  • Many injured as Truck rams into commercial bus in Lagos

    Many injured as Truck rams into commercial bus in Lagos

    At least five passengers sustained severe injuries on Friday when a truck collided with a commercial bus at Toyota Bus Stop, inward Oshodi, Lagos.

    It was gathered that the truck laden with Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), popularly known as petrol, was traveling at excessive speed before it lost control due to brake failure, crashing into the moving bus.

    One of the victims, who is in a critical condition, was rushed to a nearby medical facility by a Good Samaritan, while ambulances from the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency’s Rescue Unit (LRU) transported the remaining four victims to a hospital for urgent medical attention.

    The victims were rescued by emergency responders.

    Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Adebayo Taofiq, said the accident occurred during the peak hour.

    “Preliminary findings by security operatives from Oloto Police Station revealed that the PMS-laden tanker, travelling at perilously excessive speed, suffered a sudden and catastrophic brake failure. In a desperate bid to avert impending disaster, the driver lost all operational control, resulting in a ferocious collision with the moving, fully loaded commercial bus — an impact of such violent intensity that it left multiple occupants grievously injured.

    “The collision inflicted severe injuries upon five individuals — two males, three females, including the bus driver — all of whom were rescued alive through the decisive, swift, and highly professional intervention of LASTMA operatives,” Adebayo said in a statement.