TheNewsGuru

Tag: Lagos

  • Telling anyone to leave Lagos arrant nonsense – Bode George

    Telling anyone to leave Lagos arrant nonsense – Bode George

    Chief Bode George, former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has described as “arrant nonsense”, recent calls by some faceless groups asking Igbo people to leave Lagos.

    “That type of campaign is ‘arrant nonsense’; it is ‘sheer stupidity,” George told NAN in Lagos.

    The retired army officer, who is a Lagos indigene, spoke on the sideline of an interactive session with the media on the State of the Nation, held at his office in Ikoyi.

    “It is nonsense. I say it is arrant nonsense. Why should we be saying that the Igbo people should leave?

    “We have grown with them here. I had known them. We played local football, local football together.

    “I think those who are proposing or talking about it are not Lagos indigenes themselves.

    “In Lagos, we welcome traders. Bring your wares, we look at it, we buy it, you make your money, we give you land to build. That is the culture of Lagos.

    “Those who are proposing this nonsense have no bearing, no family connection to Lagos.

    “I am saying it as a Lagosian. It is arrant stupidity. Why would you tell them to leave? They pay their taxes,” he fumed.

    George, who went down memory lane, recalled that Dr Nnamdi Azikwe, who is of Igbo extraction, became the political son of his great grand uncle, Sir Herbert Macaulay.

    He said that Azikwe, the first President of Nigeria, had joined Macaulay in the nationalism struggles before late Obafemi Awolowo and his group arrived from UK.

    “Why are you fighting them? Does it make sense? Lagos State was created since 1967. Since that time to now, the Igbo have had their contributions.

    “So, to me, such campaign is idiotic. Very idiotic. They should stop,” George cautioned.

    He opined that those spreading such hate were not Lagos indigenes but people who came from neighbouring states and were accommodated in the state.

    “They should just shut up. If they have a right to come here, why are they blocking others?

    “The Igbo have their own contribution to make.

    “They are buying houses and building houses. They are contributing to the development of economic activities in Lagos. They are most welcome,” he added.

    NAN reports that recent campaigns on social media, especially in the build up to the #EndBadGovernment nationwide protest, focused on asking Igbo to leave Lagos

    The persistent noise attracted the attention of President Bola Tinubu who quickly reacted by asking the crusaders to perish such thought.

    Tinubu’s response, which formed part of his Sunday morning national broadcast on the nationwide protest, declared that Nigeria had no place for such ethnic sentiments.

  • Lagos court extends protest restriction order

    Lagos court extends protest restriction order

    A Lagos High Court, at Tafawa Balewa Square, on Tuesday extended an earlier order restricting protesters in Lagos to conduct their activities only at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park and Peace Park.

    Justice S.I. Sonaike gave the order following an application filed by the Lagos State Attorney-General (AG), and the Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), for an extension of the order.

    The state AG had filed for an extension of the order after complying with the order of the court to ensure the safety of the protesters within the two locations ordered by the court.

    The state AG was represented in court by the Director for Civil Litigations, Mr Hameed Oyenuga.

    Oyenuga told the court that service of the earlier court order had been served on all the respondents in compliance with the pre action protocols for preemptive reliefs sought by the AG against the representatives of the protesters.

    He argued that though the respondents in the suit were yet to respond to the application, “there is the need to extend the earlier restriction order of the protest to two venues.

    “This is to ensure that the state can continue to enjoy the relative peace being experienced despite the ongoing protests across the country.”

    In her ruling, Justice Sonaike said that she was satisfied with the AG’s compliance with the order of the other vacation judge, Justice Emmanuel Ogundare.

    She, therefore, ordered that the restriction of the protest to Freedom and Peace parks in the Ojota and Ketu areas of the state be extended until full compliance to the pre action orders.

    Justice Ogundare had on July 30, while ruling on  an exparte application filed by the state AG, placed restrictions on the protesters.

    The AG was seeking to secure public safety and prevent irreparable loss of lives and property in the state during the period of the protests.

    Defendants in the application are –  Adamma Ukpabi and Tosin Harsogba (for Active Citizens Group), Comrade Juwon Sanyaolu and Hassan Soweto (for Take it Back Movement) and Commissioner of Police, Lagos State.

  • 2 escape death as bus rams into truck in Lagos

    2 escape death as bus rams into truck in Lagos

    The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has confirmed that two persons have escaped death on Tuesday when a commercial bus rammed into a slow moving articulated vehicle.

    LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, who confirmed this NAN in Lagos, said the two victims sustained various degrees of injuries.

    Oke-Osanyintolu said that the incident, which happened at Ojota, Maryland, Lagos around 4.45 a.m., was caused by high speed and lost of control.

    He said that the agency’s Tiger Response Team from the command and control centre, Alausa, Ikeja carried the rescue operation.

    “Upon arrival at the incident scene,  it was observed that a commercial bus, registration number APP 209XZ had rammed into an articulated vehicle with registration number T4845LA.
    “The trapped two victims inside the bus were rescued and rushed to the hospital for medical attention as they sustained various degrees of injuries.
    “Investigations revealed that the accident occurred as a result of the high speed the commercial bus was in, thereby ramming into the slow moving truck from behind,” he said.
    He said the incident which caused gridlock along the highway had been cleared and the road reopened for vehicular activities before rush hour traffic.

    Oke-Osanyintolu advised motorists to always stick to traffic rules and regulations and drive safely to avoid road traffic crashes that could lead to loss of lives and property.

  • Nationwide protests in Lagos as protesters insist Tinubu failed to address their demands

    Nationwide protests in Lagos as protesters insist Tinubu failed to address their demands

    A group of #EndBadGovernance protesters gathered around the Gani Fawehinmi Park on Sunday morning, chanting solidarity songs, shortly after President Bola Tinubu’s address to the nation.

    The protesters said the President has not addressed core issues raised by them despite touching on efforts by his administration.

    Policemen and other security agencies were still on the ground at the park.

    The police barred the protesters from holding a procession beyond the designated ground at Gani Fawehinmi Park, Ojota.

    They complied without argument and returned to the designated point.

    As of the time of filing this report, there are policemen more than protesters in Ojota area of Lagos.

    Tinubu, in a broadcast earlier on Sunday, urged the youths to suspend the #EndBadGovernance protests and embrace dialogue.

    He assured them that his administration is focused on good governance despite the socio-economic challenges confronting Africa’s most populous nation.

    He said the removal of subsidy on petrol was a painful but necessary decision he took for economic reforms.

    The return of petrol subsidy has been one of the very clear demands of young Nigerians who took to the streets since Thursday to protest the economic woes confronting the country.

    Recall Tinubu, ex-Lagos governor, announced the removal of petrol subsidy during his inaugural speech as President on May 29, 2023. The price per litre of the product jumped from around N184 to over N700 depending on where it is sold in the country.

    The government simultaneously unified forex windows, with the value of the naira nosediving terribly from $1/N700 to over $1/1600 at the parallel market. Prices of food and basic commodities immediately climbed through the roof as Nigerians battled attendant inflation.

    Some of the protesters’ demands include the restoration of petrol subsidies and the forex regime. They also want the government to address food shortages, unemployment, and the wasteful spending of those in power. Other demands are a reduction of the President’s cabinet and general cost of governance, immediate reforms of the electoral umpire INEC and anti-graft agency EFCC with renewed vigour in the fight against corrupt politicians.

  • Lagos Govt intervenes in alleged rape of ARM Pension employee

    Lagos Govt intervenes in alleged rape of ARM Pension employee

    The Lagos State Government had intervened in the matter involving a female employee of ARM Pension Managers (PFA) Ltd. who was allegedly raped by her colleague during an official party of the firm.

    The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA), Mrs Cecilia Dada, made this known on Saturday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).

    Dada said beyond detaining and prosecuting the accused executive director who was already in Police custody, WAPA was concerned about the emotional and psychological state of the victim.

    She said WAPA was already making efforts to get help for the victim who it was said had locked herself up and had refused to pick up calls to speak to anyone.

    She said the Lagos State Government got in touch with the company immediately it got wind of the rape allegation to help the rape survivor.

    The commissioner said that the company confirmed to WAPA that they got a psychologist to counsel the lady and also got a private investigator on the matter which was already with the police.

    The commissioner said her ministry was collaborating with the police to ensure justice for the victim, saying that Lagos State had zero tolerance for domestic and gender violence.

    “We have tried to get in touch with the woman but she has not answered anybody’s calls.

    “Though, the man is already in the Police custody.

    “So, I am sure that the Police will charge him to court once they are done with their investigations.

    “Our counsellors and our social workers have tried to get in touch with her. Although we were not able to get her but the company assured us that they have gotten a psychologist to counsel her,” the commissioner said.

    Dada assured that the state government would follow up on her and ensure that the victim received necessary help that would make her overcome the trauma.

    The rape victim had called for arrest of the accused executive director in a report to ARM Pensions Managers Ltd.

    She alleged that the director drove her to a hotel after an office party hosted by the firm and had sexual intercourse with her without her consent.

    She said the male colleague had spiked her drink before abducting her and having “penetrative sexual intercourse” with her at a popular hotel on Chevron Drive, Lagos.

    She said she only realised that she was in a hotel after waking up and noticed her private parts were sore and bruised and her clothes in a pile.

    “I lost total memory of every conversation and activity. My last memory of the night was 7:30 p.m. and my entire memory was wiped out which was unusual even for someone who might have drunk excessively which l didn’t.

    “The next thing I knew was that l woke up and realised I was in a room fully undressed. I looked around and realised it was a hotel.

    “I found my clothes in a pile along with my wig, phone and handbag.

    “I checked the time, it was around 3:00a.m. My private parts were sore, bruised and painful.

    “I have also formally reported this incident to the Head of HR, who is my boss, the Managing Director and another executive director,” she said.

    She requested the Lagos State Government to help take her case up fully and ensure that the predator who tried to ruin her life and other accomplices be prosecuted.

  • No protester in our custody – Lagos Police Command

    No protester in our custody – Lagos Police Command

    The Police Command in Lagos State says it is presently not holding anyone for participating in the ongoing protest against hardship in the state.

    The command ‘s spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, who said this in an interview with NAN on Friday in Lagos, stated that no protester was in its custody.

    “All protesters arrested on Thursday were released same Thursday.

    ” The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr Adegoke Fayoade, called the State CID to order for their release,” he said.

    One of those leading the protests, Mr Inibehe Effiong ,had told the gathering at Gani Fawehinmi Park that no fewer than 12 protesters were arrested on Thursday.

    Effiong ,however, later corroborated the police spokesperson’s claim that all those arrested had been released.

    He commended the police and other security agents for their professional  handling  of the protest in the  state.

    NAN reports that the #Endbadgovernance protesters on Friday gathered in front of of Park in Ojota for the second day.

    It observed that the Lagos police chief was personally on ground to monitor the protest to ensure that it was not hijacked by hoodlums.

    It was also observed that the Commissioner of Police  provided water and snacks for the protesters.

    The protesters suspended their agitations for a while to observe Jumat prayers at the park

  • Sanwo-Olu condemns “IgboMustGo” planned protest in Lagos

    Sanwo-Olu condemns “IgboMustGo” planned protest in Lagos

    Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has condemned the attempt by a faceless group to stage the “IgboMustGo” protest in Lagos.

    Sanwo-Olu, in a statement signed by Gboyega Akosile, his special adviser on media and publicity, warned Lagosians not to allow any group to sow a seed of discord between them and other tribes living in Lagos.

    The statement reads: “The attention of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been drawn to a post by LagosPedia, a social media handle on X (formerly Twitter) that calls on the Igbo to vacate Lagos and Southwest of Nigeria and brace up for a massive hashtag #Igbomustgo protest from 20th to 30th August 2024.

    “The governor of Lagos State and indeed, Lagos State government wish to distance themselves from the reckless, divisive and dangerous rhetoric, saying Lagos remains home to every Nigerian citizen regardless of their ethnic nationality.

    “Governor Sanwo-Olu views the post as not only reckless and divisive but also an attempt to sow a seed of discord between the Yoruba in the Southwest and other tribes, especially those who have made Lagos their permanent place of abode.”

    The governor appeals to Lagosians not to allow any person or group of individuals to create tensions in the State, calling on the security agencies to promptly investigate those behind the handle and bring them to justice.

     

  • Woman with empty cooking pot joins hunger protest In Lagos

    Woman with empty cooking pot joins hunger protest In Lagos

    A middle aged woman looking dejected on Thursday joined EndBadGovernance protesters in Lagos State with an empty cooking pot

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the woman who looked unkempt joined the procession at the Oregun area of Ikeja.

    The woman, who was with a man who appears to be her husband, said in Yoruba language that she was hungry.

    Recall that, protesters had converged on Ikeja Undebridge where they are expected to move to the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota amid tight security.

    Amongst the security operatives tagging along the protesters include the operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC); the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC).

  • NDLEA impounds 31m pills, bottles of opioids worth N17.9billion at Lagos, PH ports(Photos)

    NDLEA impounds 31m pills, bottles of opioids worth N17.9billion at Lagos, PH ports(Photos)

     

    Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have intercepted a total of Thirty-One Million One Hundred and Twenty-Four Thousand Six Hundred (31, 124, 600) pills of tramadol 225mg and bottles of codeine-based syrup worth over Seventeen Billion Nine Hundred and Thirty-Two Million Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N17, 932, 200, 000.00) in street value at the Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne, Rivers state and Tincan seaport in Lagos.

    The seizures were made following intelligence processed by the Agency on the movement of the shipments from their port of origin in India, leading to a demand for a 100 percent joint examination of the watch-listed containers with the Nigerian Customs Service and other sister security agencies.

    A breakdown of the seizures show that 350,000 bottles of codeine-based syrup were recovered from two containers at Tincan port in Lagos on Thursday 29th and Friday 30th August 2024. Each of the two containers had 175,000 bottles of the opioid.
    At the Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne, NDLEA operatives equally intercepted a total of 447 cartons of tramadol 225mg containing Twenty-Nine Million Eight Hundred and Forty Thousand (29, 840,000) pills of the opioid as well as 380,000 bottles of codeine syrup from three containers on Thursday 29th August.

    The tramadol shipments came under different brand names such as Royal Tapetadol, Carisoprodol 225mg and Royal Tramadol Hydrochloride 225mg.
    The following day, Friday 30th August, another set of three containers watch-listed by NDLEA were subjected to joint examination.

    At the end of the exercise, a total of 3,030 cartons of codeine syrup containing 554,600 bottles of the opioid were recovered from them.

    This brings the total bottles of codeine seized at Onne, Rivers and Tincan in Lagos to 1,284,600 bottles worth N8,992,200,000.00 in street value while the combined seizure of tramadol stood at 29, 840,000 pills valued at N8,940,000,000.00.

    In the same vein, NDLEA operatives at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Rivers state on Tuesday 27th August arrested a suspect, Eze Emekan Don, while attempting to board a Cronos airline flight to Malabo, Equatorial Guinea with 1,490 pills of tramadol concealed and packaged as cosmetics of different brands inside his luggage. His attempt to compromise the officers to evade arrest was rebuffed.

    Meanwhile, a wanted ex-beauty queen, Ms. Aderinoye Queen Christmas also known as Ms. Queen Oluwadamilola Aderinoye has surrendered to the Lagos Command of the Agency after about eight months in hiding. She was declared wanted by the Agency in January after she escaped from her Lekki, Lagos residence when NDLEA operatives raided her apartment at Oral estate, Lekki on Wednesday 24th January following credible intelligence she deals in illicit substances.

    The suspect was Miss Commonwealth Nigeria Culture 2015/2016 and founder of Queen Christmas Foundation. Recovered from her home during the search witnessed by the estate officials include 606 grams of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, an electronic weighing scale, large quantities of drugs packing plastics, a black RAV 4 SUV marked Lagos KSF 872 GQ, and her picture frame among others.

    The suspect who claimed she has been hiding in Akure Ondo state since January when she escaped arrest in Lekki Lagos however surrendered to the Agency on Wednesday 28th August.

    No less than 1,122 kilograms of cannabis were seized from a suspect, Mustapha Ibrahim when he was arrested on Monday 26th August along Orchid road, Ajah, Lagos, while 816kg of the same psychoactive substance belonging to a suspect at large was recovered from the same location same day.

    In Niger state, NDLEA operatives on Monday 26th August arrested a suspect Friday Gabriel along Minna-Suleja road while conveying 1,900 capsules of tramadol, 300 bottles of codeine syrup and 600 packets of exol-5 tablets. Similarly, operatives in Bauchi state on Saturday 31st August arrested two suspects: Garba Muhammed, 35; and Usman Yakubu Shehu, 31,
    along Bauchi-Gombe road while transporting 308 blocks of cannabis weighing 246.4kg, concealed in false compartment of a J5 bus marked Edo state URM 38 ZY.

    In the same vein, Commands and formations of the Agency across the country continued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensitization activities to schools, worship centres, work places and communities among others in the past week.

    These include: WADA enlightenment lecture to members of Amankwu community, Ohafia LGA, Abia state; WADA advocacy visit to the Vice Chancellor, University of Delta, Prof. Stella Chiemeka, Agbor, Delta state; WADA sensitisation lecture to members of Down Luggere community, Jimeta, Yola North LGA, Adamawa state; youths at the ‘Save the Children Campaign’ annual holiday camp at Community Secondary School, Aka Offot, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state; youths during their summer class at Olubadan stadium, Iyaganku, Ibadan, Oyo state and WADA advocacy visit to Central Bank, Kaduna office, Kaduna state.

    In his response to the latest seizures and arrests, Chairman/ Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended all the officers and men of PHPC, Tincan and the Special Operations Unit of the Agency that had been working on the targeted containers for their vigilance and professionalism.

    He equally praised the support received from other stakeholders at the ports that enabled the seamless and successful operations in the course of targeting the shipments. He also applauded operatives in Lagos, Niger, Bauchi and PHIA as well as other Commands across the country for their diligence and balance in their drug demand reduction and drug supply reduction efforts.

  • ‘Anybody that is confident should come out on Thursday to protest’ – Lagos thugs to residents

    ‘Anybody that is confident should come out on Thursday to protest’ – Lagos thugs to residents

    A video capturing the moment some sponsored anti-protest thugs threatened Lagos State residents not to come out for the planned hunger protest slated for August has surfaced on social media.

    In a viral clip on social media on Tuesday, a yet-to-be-identified group of young men were seen in a popular Lagos market, issuing stern warnings to the market men and women to desist from the planned protest.

    According to the thugs, the planned protest might lead to more destruction than that witnessed in the #EndSARS protest.

    The men were heard saying, “Anybody that is confident should come out on Thursday to protest. Are you the only one hungry?

    “If you dare come out for the protest, you will be mercilessly dealt with.”