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Tag: Lagos State

  • Mabushi bridge horror: Family of 3 killed as Lagos “agbero” menace creeps into Abuja

    Mabushi bridge horror: Family of 3 killed as Lagos “agbero” menace creeps into Abuja

    Abuja residents woke up on Wednesday to the chilling news of a family of three, husband, wife, and child, who lost their lives under the Mabushi bridge after being chased by touts, popularly known as ‘Agberos’.

    The tragedy has laid bare a growing menace that many fear could turn the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) into another Lagos, where Agberos dominate the transport system through violence and extortion.

    According to Leadership, the victims were returning home in their car with a newly purchased refrigerator when three touts pounced on them.

    Eyewitnesses said the Agberos attempted to wrest control of the steering wheel while demanding money. In the struggle, the driver lost control, crashing into a bridge pillar before the vehicle plunged into a drainage.

    All three occupants of the Toyota Highlander died instantly, and a taxi was also struck during the chaos.

    Witnesses say the tragedy was preventable. “We’ve been warning about these boys,” fumed a trader at Mabushi. “Now a whole family is gone. Tomorrow, it could be anyone.”

    It was gathered that enraged onlookers lynched one of the attackers on the spot while police from the Mabushi Division reportedly rescued two others, one critically injured and the other taken alive to the National Hospital.

    “This is what we’ve been warning about,” said a resident who witnessed the scene. “Abuja is no longer safe. A whole family wiped out because of touts.”

    For weeks, our investigation followed the trail of tout activities across major junctions and bus stops in Abuja, from Lugbe to Berger, Wuse to Zuba.

    At each point, the pattern was the same: young men armed with sticks, clubs or sheer bravado descend on motorists, demanding illegal levies before releasing seized car keys or allowing drivers to pick up passengers.

    “They charge us as if they own the roads,” said a commercial driver at the Berger junction, lowering his voice in caution. “If you refuse, they damage your car or block you. Sometimes, they beat people up.”

    Investigations across the major bus stops and junctions in the FCT reveal that Abuja’s transport system is increasingly under siege by touts, mirroring the entrenched Lagos agbero model.

    “Drivers report daily harassment, illegal levies, and physical intimidation, but nothing is done. Commuters describe gangs lying in wait, blocking vehicles and seizing keys until cash is handed over.

    “This is how Lagos lost control of its transport corridors. If Abuja does not act decisively, the same fate awaits,” said a former FCT transport official, who asked not to be named.

    Despite mounting complaints from residents and commuters, official response has been muted, and the police insist that no formal cases have been filed.

    FCT Police PRO, Josephine Adeh, told this reporter that “no official reports have been made,” raising concerns that victims are either too fearful to come forward or see little hope in enforcement.

    The result is a climate of silence, where agberos act with impunity while residents endure daily extortion and fatalities.

    However, the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) is yet to issue an official statement on the tragic Mabushi accident. Also, the identities of the deceased are yet to be released.

    The Mabushi tragedy has ignited fury across Abuja. On social media, residents shared their own encounters with touts and called for urgent intervention.

    “Are you saying I should have a car and still hire a commercial vehicle to carry my things home?” one resident fumed. “This is daylight robbery.”

    Abuja was designed to embody order and modernity, but the growing agbero culture threatens that vision.

    Observers say the growing impunity of agberos raises unsettling questions about governance in the FCT.

    The Mabushi tragedy is not just an isolated accident; it is a chilling warning that the capital could lose control of its streets to the rule of touts.

    With one family’s lives already lost, residents say the stakes could not be higher.

    ALSO READ || INVESTIGATION: Before Abuja becomes another Lagos: Touts threaten FCT transport system

    Unless the FCT administration and security agencies move swiftly to dismantle tout networks, Abuja may soon mirror Lagos, where transport corridors are not controlled by law and order but one beholden to the whims of street-level thuggery.

  • Lagos: Police restrict egungun festival to designated venues

    Lagos: Police restrict egungun festival to designated venues

    The Lagos State Police Command has restricted all Egungun masquerade festival activities to designated outing points and approved venues of celebration only.

    Command spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Lagos.

    He explained that the directive banned practitioners from engaging in public processions or street parades to safeguard lives, property, and public safety.

    Hundeyin said the order was to ensure the rights of adherents and followers of other faiths and groups were not violated during the festivals.

    He added that the measure would help prevent clashes between rival egungun groups, as recently reported in parts of the state.

    The restriction also seeks to avert damage to private and public property, following incidents linked to masquerade outings in recent days.

    “Egungun masquerades, practitioners and their supporters are to strictly comply with these restrictions,” Hundeyin warned.

    The spokesperson urged masqueraders to notify the Commissioner of Police and apply for security cover before embarking on any outings with followers.

    He cautioned that the command would enforce the law against any masquerade or follower who breaches public order, violates rights, or disrupts peace.

    “The command urges all egungun masqueraders, adherents and supporters to cooperate with the police, comply with the law, and help sustain peace across Lagos,” Hundeyin said.

  • Calm returns after police, youths clash in Lagos

    Calm returns after police, youths clash in Lagos

    The Police Command in Lagos State says it has begun an investigation into a clash between some youths and some police officers at Elemoro in the Lekki area of the state.

    The command Spokesman, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, who confirmed this in a statement on Friday in Lagos, said that the incident occurred in Onosa community in the Elemoro area.

    “Today Aug. 29, six officers from Elemoro Division while on routine patrol encountered an irate mob.

    “In the course of ensuring their own safety, the officers used their firearms, resulting in three individuals sustaining injuries.

    “The injured persons were taken to hospital for medical attention, ” he said.

    The spokesperson said that the Commissioner of Police, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, promptly responded to the incident by personally leading a detachment of officers to the scene.

    “The swift intervention led to the removal of all barricades, restoring the free-flow of traffic in the area.

    “CP Jimoh also visited the Onosa community and engaged with youth and community leaders in the area to de-escalate tension and embrace peace.

    “He extended an invitation to the youth leaders for continued dialogue to address concerns and prevent future occurrences, ” Hundeyin said.

    The image maker said that the officers involved in the shooting had been taken into custody as investigations into the incident had begun.

    “The command is committed to a thorough and transparent inquiry to establish the facts surrounding the event.

    “Normalcy has been restored to the area and significant police presence remain in place to ensure the sustenance of the restored peace and order, ” he said.

    Hundeyin urged residents to remain calm, cooperate with law enforcement agencies, and refrain from actions that could disrupt public peace.

    According to him, further update will be provided as the investigation progresses.

  • Police detain kidnap suspect, rescue 7-year-old victim

    Police detain kidnap suspect, rescue 7-year-old victim

    The Police Command in Lagos State has detained a 32-year-old suspect for allegedly kidnapping a seven-year-old child.

    The command spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this in a statement on Thursday in Lagos.

    He said that the suspect kidnapped the child on Monday at the Alapere area of the state.

    “On Aug. 25, the victim’s father reported at Alapere Police Division that his son had been taken away from his house without his consent by his painter.

    “Shortly after, the suspect called the victim’s mother, demanding N7 million as ransom for the child’s release.

    “Following the report, the case was transferred to the Special Squad 1 of the Command for a discreet investigation,” he said.

    Hundeyin said that on Wednesday, operatives tracked down the suspect and the victim was safety rescued.

    “The operatives traced the suspect to Ijegun area of the state, where he was apprehended and the victim rescued unhurt from a locked room where he had been held captive.

    “The victim has since been reunited with his family, ” he said.

    The Command’s spokesman said that the suspect had confessed to the crime, stating that he kidnapped the child to raise money for personal family needs.

    According to Hundeyin, investigations are ongoing to uncover possible accomplices and evidence on the matter. He added and the case would be charged to court accordingly.

    The spokesperson said that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, had reassured residents that the command would continue to deploy all available resources to combat crimes.

  • Police dismiss viral claims of crime in Lagos restaurant

    Police dismiss viral claims of crime in Lagos restaurant

    The Police Command in Lagos State has debunked a viral video alleging criminal activity in a restaurant on Airport Road, Ikeja.

    The Command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, refuted the claims in a statement on Thursday in Lagos, describing the allegations as false and unfounded.

    “The command wishes to address a viral video circulating on social media, falsely alleging that criminal activities, including the killing of individuals and the sale of human parts, are taking place at 38 Restaurant on Airport Road, Lagos.

    “The command hereby categorically refutes these claims as entirely baseless and untrue,” he said.

    Hundeyin said that after the video surfaced, the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Olohundare Jimoh, launched
    a comprehensive probe into the claims.

    “Following the emergence of the video, the CP Jimoh, promptly directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations.

    “The investigation has conclusively established that the claims made in the video are false and without merit, ” he said.

    The image maker urged members of the public to disregard the video, as it was unfounded and capable of causing unnecessary panic and disaffection among customers and Lagos citizens at large.

    Hundeyin encouraged everyone to continue their lawful activities, including patronising the restaurant, as no evidence of any untoward activity was found on the premises.

    According to him, the command is actively working to identify the originators of the malicious video.

    He called on anyone with credible information regarding the identity of those responsible to come forward.

    “The information, which will be treated with utmost confidentiality, will aid ongoing investigations and ensure appropriate legal action is taken against those spreading fake news and harmful contents.

    “Anyone with useful information can reach out to the Complaint Response Unit of the Command on 09111111150 or 09111111151,” he said.

    The spokesperson said that the command remained committed to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and businesses in the state.

    He urged the public to fact-check information before sharing to prevent the spread of misinformation.

  • Police to conduct IED simulation exercise in Lagos

    Police to conduct IED simulation exercise in Lagos

    The Police Command in Lagos State says it will hold an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) simulation exercise at the Eko Atlantic City area of the state on Thursday, August 28.

    It, therefore, urges residents and visitors not to panic, as the exercise is strictly a security drill aimed at enhancing emergency response preparedness.

    The command spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, made the announcement in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.

    “The command wishes to inform the public that the Nigeria Police Force Explosives Ordnance Disposal – Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Unit will be conducting an IED simulation exercise at the Eko Atlantic City on Aug. 28.

    “This exercise is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the preparedness and response capabilities of the police in the event of any bomb-related emergency.

    “It will involve controlled detonations by specialised units trained to handle explosive devices and related threats.

    “Members of the public are hereby notified that blast sounds will be heard during the exercise, but there will be no shrapnel or associated danger.

    “Residents, workers, and visitors in and around the Eko Atlantic City area are therefore advised to remain calm, go about their lawful activities, and not to panic when they hear the sounds,” he said.

    According to the image maker, adequate safety measures have been put in place to ensure the exercise is carried out without risk to lives or property.

    The spokesperson said that the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Olohundare Jimoh appealed for public cooperation during the exercise and assured that the command was committed to their safety.

    “CP Jimoh appeal for the cooperation and understanding of the public while this important simulation exercise is conducted.

    “CP assures residents that the command remains committed to their safety, security, and well-being, ” Hundeyin said.

  • INVESTIGATION: Before Abuja becomes another Lagos: Touts threaten FCT transport system

    INVESTIGATION: Before Abuja becomes another Lagos: Touts threaten FCT transport system

    By Balogun Ganiat Ogunyemi and Ediri Oyibo

    Nigeria’s capital is facing a creeping crisis. From Gwagwalada to Zuba, Lugbe, Berger, Banex, Wuse, Nyanya to Area 1, touts have tightened their grip on bus stops in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    These touts harass motorists and commuters in broad daylight, raising fears that the transport system in Abuja is gradually mirroring that of Lagos, where street gangs and transport unions have held sway for decades.

    On Sunday, June 29, 2025, at the busy Car Wash bus stop in Lugbe, four men pounced on a Toyota Camry driver moments after he dropped off a passenger. The menace unfolded in plain sight.

    One lunged at his car keys, another tried to force open the back door, while two others squared up aggressively. The startled motorist struggled to understand his supposed offence.

    Confused and terrified, the motorist was later seen negotiating the release of his car keys; money reportedly changed hands before he was freed.

    Eyewitnesses described the attackers’ “commando-style” operations: lying in wait under bridges and at bus stops, then swarming unsuspecting drivers who stop briefly to pick up or drop off passengers.

    Sticks and rods are openly displayed to intimidate, turning ordinary bus stops into zones of fear.

    In another case, a driver chatting with his colleague at a bus stop in the FCT was assaulted; his car key was seized, and only released after a cash negotiation, a pattern many commuters say amounts to organised extortion.

    To many observers, the rising menace evokes memories of Lagos, where touts, known locally as “agberos”, dominate bus parks and transit corridors. In Lagos, these groups, often backed by powerful transport unions, extract daily levies from commercial drivers under the guise of union dues and threat of violence.

    Over the years, this system, feared by commuters and tolerated by the government, has entrenched itself as a shadow economy that fuels both street violence and political patronage.

    “Abuja is gradually going the Lagos way,” said a commuter at Lugbe. “Today, they harass private car owners; tomorrow, they will be collecting ‘tickets’ from every bus driver. That’s how it started in Lagos.”

    Ironically, the menace grows just as the FCT Administration under Nyesom Wike moves to formalise public transportation in the capital city. In June 2025, the FCT Minister inaugurated newly built bus terminals at strategic locations across Abuja, including the Central Business District (CBD), Mabushi, and Kugbo.

    The goal, according to Wike, is to provide a safe, regulated, and efficient transport system that eliminates the lawlessness of roadside pick-ups and tout-controlled stops.

    “These terminals are designed to sanitise transportation in Abuja, create jobs, and restore order,” Wike declared at the commissioning of one of the bus terminals.

    Notwithstanding, residents argue that unless the touts are decisively flushed out of existing bus stops, the terminals risk being underutilised, with commuters still at the mercy of street gangs.

    Already, some fear that touts may eventually infiltrate the new terminals, replicating the Lagos model, where official bus parks have become breeding grounds for extortion.

    All efforts to reach the Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the FCT, Ustaz Umar Abubakar, proved abortive. Also, the National President of NURTW, Musiliu Akinsanya, could not be reached.

    However, when contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Josephine Adeh, said the command had no official records of such complaints.

    “We don’t have such complaints reported at any of our police stations. If people have concerns, they should report to the police station for investigation and necessary action,” Adeh stated.

    The FCT PPRO’s response further fuels debate among residents who insist the menace is real but often goes unreported due to fear of reprisals or lack of faith in enforcement.

    The FCT’s transport system is now at a tipping point. On one side is Wike’s vision of sleek terminals and regulated bus services; on the other, the reality of touts tightening their grip on roadside bus stops, extorting drivers and commuters.

    The unanswered question is whether Abuja’s security agencies and policymakers will act decisively before the capital’s image is permanently scarred.

    For now, motorists remain on edge. Commuters walk warily. And the warning grows louder: Abuja must act fast before it becomes another Lagos.

  • Army hands over fake officer to police in Lagos

    Army hands over fake officer to police in Lagos

    The 9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Ikeja has handed over a 36-year-old man to the Police Command in Lagos State for allegedly impersonating an Army Major.

    The command’s spokesperson CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said this in a statement on Monday.

    He explained that the suspect was apprehended at the Arena Market in the Oshodi area of the state.

    “The suspect was apprehended with a forged Nigerian Army Identity Card bearing his name and the rank of Major.

    “He was immediately handed over to the command in a seamless operation, underscoring strong inter-agency collaboration.

    According to him, the case has been assigned to Special Squad I for investigation by tracing the forgery source, identifying accomplices and ascertaining the use of fake Identity in previous offences.

    “Upon conclusion of the investigation, the case will be charged to court accordingly, ” he said.

    Hundeying further said that already the Police Commissioner in Lagos, Mr Olohundare Jimoh,  has applauded the army for the arrest.

    “The CP also called for synergy among security agencies in tackling crime and the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities,’’ the spokesman said.

  • Lagos residents debunk egg price slash

    Lagos residents debunk egg price slash

    Some residents across Lagos State have debunked the reported slash in the price of eggs as claimed by the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN).

    The residents recounted their experiences on the consistent hike in the price of the produce in spite of the assurances by the Poultry Association of Nigeria in separate interviews with NAN on Saturday in Lagos.

    PAN had recently announced a 10 per cent slash in the price of eggs from the farm gate at N4,800 to N5,000 per crate.

    However,  a crate of eggs sells between N5,500 and N6,500 at the local markets with some retailers selling at a slightly higher price of N250 for a piece.

    A resident at Egbeda area of the state, Mrs Rose Brownson, noted that there had been no change in the price of eggs in her area, in spite of rumours of price slash.

    “The cost of eggs has not dropped in recent months, it only gets more expensive from our end.

    “We still buy a crate between N5,800 to N6,000 depending on the size. There has been no noticeable drop in the price.

    “So, I do not understand what they mean by a price slash, a piece of raw egg still sells at N250. There has been no change,” Brownson said.

    On her part, Mrs Esther Ikechukwu, a wholesaler at the FESTAC area of the state, said they buy a crate egg from the farm gate at N5,100, excluding other charges before it gets to the point of sale.

    “The farms’ real price for a crate is N5,100 but we pay N200 extra per crate of egg . If we purchase 100 crates there is an extra cost of N200 for transportation on each.

    “The egg arrives at our location at N5,300 and we still have to pay to convey it to our shops. Some people buy at N5,300 from the farm gate depending on transportation cost to where you are.

    “I sell a crate at N5,700, while some other wholesalers sell between N6,000 and N6,500,” Ikechukwu said.

    She said other costs incurred in the sales of eggs to retailers contributes to the hike in some areas.

    “There is also the cost of data to carry out transfer and to call customers, the cost of nylon bags for packaging the produce is also factored into the final cost, which is N200 for a piece.

    “Also, we sell cracked eggs at N500 for three piece which is  below our cost price and a crate for N4,500. We don’t  gain much from it, it is the retailers that get more profit than wholesalers,” she said.

    A consumer at Alimosho area of the state, Mr Oriafo Oseme, said there had been no change in the price of eggs as he still buys a crate of eggs at N6,000.

    “I still bought a crate of egg at N6,000 few days back, so this news of slash in the price of eggs by poultry farmers seems like a myth.

    “If there has been a drop in the price at the farm gates, it should reflect in the price we consumers buy,” Oseme said.

    Also, a cooked food trader at Amuwo Odofin area of the state, Mrs Charity Igwe, said: “We buy a  crate at N5,600 and I sell a piece of boiled eggs at N250, but when I buy at N6,000, I sell a piece at N300.

    “I can only sell the way I buy in order to make a little profit from my food sales.

    “But most cooked food traders sell a piece of egg at N300 in order to break even after factoring in other costs of preparing the meals,” Igwe said.

  • Man rescued from being lynched by mob in Lagos

    Man rescued from being lynched by mob in Lagos

    Operatives of the Police Command in Lagos State have rescued a man from being lynched by a mob.

    The command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, disclosed this in a post shared on his X handle @benHundeyin on Friday.

    He said that the timely intervention of police officers from Iju Division saved the man from being killed.

    “At 8:40 p.m. on Thursday, the suspect was caught while carting away barbed wire on a perimeter fence in Iju area of state.

    “He injured one of the people trying to apprehend him with a scissors. This prompted mob action on him. Patrol officers raced to the scene and rescued him, ” the image maker said.

    According to him, efforts are ongoing to apprehend those behind the barbaric act of jungle justice.

    The spokesperson urged members of the public to desist from jungle justice.