Echotitbits – Nigeria News

Category: Metro

  • Security Operatives Rescue Two Persons from Bandits in Kaduna

    Security Operatives Rescue Two Persons from Bandits in Kaduna

    Security agencies Friday night repelled armed bandits and rescued two persons: Sahabi Lawal and Dan Aliko, while Sani Khalil is still missing in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    The agencies explained that the armed bandits ambushed troops and security operatives patrolling Rigasa-Link Road at Rugar Bello Junction.

    The operatives added that the Armoured Personnel Carrier of the police was riddled with bullets.

    “The bandits who were denied freedom of action escaped while stray bullets hit two citizens driving from Mando axis of Rigasa-Link Road.

    “The two citizens were rushed to the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital but sadly, one of them, one Rabiu Awwal, died while the second citizen (Umar El-Khattab) is responding to treatment,” said a statement by Kaduna State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Samuel Aruwan.

    The statement noted that Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has sent a condolence to the deceased’s family and offered prayers for the repose of his soul. He also wished the citizen recuperating a speedy recovery.

    The governor also commended troops and police personnel that repelled the armed bandits and rescued two citizens.

    As the troops and police continue to carry out aggressive patrols in the general area, the El-Rufai administration assured that it would keep keep citizens informed of security development in the state.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Gbajabiamila Distraught Over Newspaper Vendor’s Killing by Security Officer Attached to Convoy

    Gbajabiamila Distraught Over Newspaper Vendor’s Killing by Security Officer Attached to Convoy

    Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has sadly recounted how a security officer attached to his convoy killed a newspapers’ vendor in Abuja.

    The vendor, who’s simply identified as Ifeanyi, was fell by stray bullets when security men attached to the speaker shot into the air to disperse “unidentified men” who obstructed the convoy.

    Gbajabiamila described the incident as horrible, saying he’s “personally distraught” and offered his deepest sympathies to the deceased’s family and Abuja vendors.

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    The speaker added that as someone who has value for human life and respect for all people – irrespective of social economic status, he has caused a report to be made to the local police station and an investigation has commenced.

    Gbajabiamila also said the security officer who fired the fatal shot has been suspended from the convoy pending the conclusion of the investigation.

    According to him, “A horrible incident has taken place. This evening (November 19) as I left the National Assembly, I stopped as usual to exchange pleasantries with the newspaper vendors at the corner. Many of them have known me since I first moved to Abuja and it was a friendly exchange.

    “Unfortunately, after the convoy set out in continuation of movement, unidentified men obstructed the convoy which got the attention of security men in the convoy who shot into the air to disperse them.

    “Some hours later, after getting to our destination, it was brought to my attention that someone was hit by a stray bullet, contrary to an earlier report by men in the convoy that they applied their security discretion to shoot in the air.

    “I have caused a report to be made to the local police station and an investigation has commenced.

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    For Non-compliance with Regulatory Standards, Lagos Shuts 16 Health Facilities

    “In the meantime, the officer who fired the fatal shot has been suspended from the convoy pending the conclusion of the investigation.

    “My value for human life and my respect for all people – irrespective of social economic status – is what endeared me to these vendors and these are the reasons why I stop my convoy quite often to connect with them.

    “For one of them to have been shot by my security detail is horrific and I cannot begin to imagine the grief and loss Ifeanyi’s family must feel on this sad day. No family should have to go through this.

    “I am personally distraught about this incident and my deepest sympathies go to the victim, his family and Abuja vendors.”

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • For Non-compliance with Regulatory Standards, Lagos Shuts 16 Health Facilities

    For Non-compliance with Regulatory Standards, Lagos Shuts 16 Health Facilities

    The Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State Government has shut 16 health facilities across the state for non-compliance with regulatory standards.

    This was disclosed by the Executive Secretary of Lagos State Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA), Abiola Idowu, while reviewing the activities of the agency for the month of September and October, 2020.

    She explained that out of 280 health facilities monitored in the months under review, 16 facilities were shut for infractions, ranging from quackery, operating beyond schedule, lack of qualified medical personnel to non-registration of facilities, training of auxiliary nurses and lack of basic equipment.

    Idowu noted that the Sanwo-Olu administration would not tolerate any unprofessional practice, which could compromise the health and the well-being of patients and undermine the huge investment of the state government in qualitative healthcare delivery.

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    She added that any facility owner or operator found perpetrating any of these acts would be prosecuted accordingly and the facility sealed.

    “These unethical practices could compromise the health status of patients and undermine the huge investment of the government in qualitative healthcare delivery.

    “Hence, any healthcare facility owner or operator found perpetrating any of these acts will be prosecuted accordingly and the facility sealed,” idowu said.

    While clarifying that health facilities earlier sealed could be reopened after all standards and instructions have been observed and approval granted by the Lagos State Commissioner for Health, the Executive Secretary noted that 14 facilities were reopened in the two months under review after complying with the set standards.

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    She maintained that the agency would continue to insist that the environment for the delivery of healthcare services should be suitable for the promotion and maintenance of good health.

    Idowu urged health facility operators to abide strictly by all stipulated standards to avoid being sanctioned, adding that they should also complete their online registration or renewal using the HEFAMAA e-portal, collect the agency’s logo and display it at a conspicuous position in the premises where visible to members of the public.

    Disclosing that the agency attended to eight petitions from members of the public in the month of October, the Executive Secretary advised the people to be vigilant and patronise only government-accredited health facilities with the agency’s logo or proof of registration, advising the public to report those behind illegal operations for prompt action.

    Idowu hinted that the agency recently held a stakeholders’ session to develop a five-year strategic plan, which according to her, would point the way forward in policy formulation for the agency in the next few years.

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    According to her, “Some of the key areas we are focusing on include leveraging technology to provide efficient services, training and retraining of HEFAMAA staff and facility operators, increasing community participation and health education as well as increasing our engagements with stakeholders and the general public.

    “It is our belief that the strategic plan will go a long way in addressing most of the issues raised by stakeholders and the general public as well as provide the agency with the opportunity to achieve the vision of the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led administration in safeguarding the health and the well-being of the citizens.”

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • District Head, Son and 11 Others Murdered in Zangon-Kataf LGA

    District Head, Son and 11 Others Murdered in Zangon-Kataf LGA

    Military hierarchy under the auspices of Operation Safe Haven has confirmed the killing of the District Head of Gidan Zaki, Haruna Kuye, his son, Destiny, and 11 others in Kaduna State by unknown assailants.

    The military said they were killed in the early hours of Tuesday (November 17) in their residence at Gidan Zaki, Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    The eleven persons killed were identified as Amadu Mallam, Idi Gefefe, Isah Goma, Awwalu Goma, Babangida Iliyasu, Lado Iliyasu, Ya’u Jumare, Hamza Umaru, Shehu Jibril, Tukur Albasu, and Musa Adamu Muruzuwa.

    The military added that the District Head’s wife sustained machete wounds on her hand while his daughter had a gunshot wound on her finger.

    Other persons who sustained various degree of injuries include: Muazu Albasu, Samaila Chairman, Junaidu Husaini, and a yet to be identified woman earlier thought to have been killed.

    The security report also stated that the act was carried out by about five men wielding AK-47 rifles and machetes, who also tried to burn the house and a vehicle.

    The military said three empty cases and a live round of 7.62mm special ammunition were recovered at the scene, adding that the troops in collaboration with other security agencies are carrying out investigations and trailing the assailants.

    Meanwhile, the Governor Nasir El-Rufai-led Kaduna State Government has condemned the killings, describing the act as evil and violation of the sanctity of the human lives.

    The governor also described the assailants as enemies of peace, saying they must be fished out and made to face the wrath of the law.

    El-Rufai, who condoled the Kuye family and the Atyap Traditional Council, prayed for the repose of the souls of the District Head, his son and other victims.

    He praised the district head for his contributions to the peace-building efforts in Zangon-Kataf.

    The governor has, besides, directed Kaduna State Commissioner of Police and Director of the Department of State Services to team up with the military forces on the ground to ensure diligent investigations.

    In a related development, security agencies have also reported attacks in Giwa Local Government Area of Kaduna State, where armed bandits attacked Fatika, Kaya and Yakawada villages.

    Two persons were killed and some kidnapped.

    In another development, security agencies have given more information regarding Monday’s attack at Albasu village of Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

    The security agencies have, similarly, identified the local killed by bandits on Sunday after they kidnapped two persons at Maraban Kajuru in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The victim has been identified as Albarka Addu’a, a former village head of Kyemara Gari.

    Kaduna State Government has, however, assured that the El-Rufai administration would continue to give security updates to the citizenry, as it continues to work assiduously with security agencies on the protection of life and property across the state.

    The government enjoined citizens to furnish the incumbent administration with relevant information on: 09034000060, 08170189999, and via email: Internal.Security@kdsg.gov.ng

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • #EndSARS: Osinbajo, Gbajabiamila, Sanwo-Olu, Others Move to Rebuild Lagos Infrastructure

    #EndSARS: Osinbajo, Gbajabiamila, Sanwo-Olu, Others Move to Rebuild Lagos Infrastructure

    It’s a gathering of prominent people from all walks of life as the Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu-led Lagos State Government formally inaugurated an eight-man team led by the Chairman of Citibank Nigeria, Yemi Cardoso, at an event tagged “Consultative Forum on Rebuilding Lagos” held at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium in Alausa.

    The forum was attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Speaker, House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele; Senator representing Lagos West, Solomon Adeola; Chief Judge of Lagos, Kazeem Alogba; and President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, represented by the group’s Executive Director, Mansur Ahmed.

    Also, captains of industry, members of organised private sector and members of diplomatic corps graced the event aimed at restoring the infrastructure destroyed in the wake of violence that trailed the #EndSARS protests.

    Speaking at the event, Osinbajo described Lagos as a critical federating unit around which Nigeria’s fortune is tied.

    He said as a city with flourishing economy, Lagos deserved the support of both the government and private sector to heal, noting that the task of reconstructing the destroyed assets would be painful and costly.

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    Osinbajo charged the rebuilding committee, which was announced fortnight ago, not to be discouraged by the enormity of the task before them, while also urging them to pursue the rebuilding process with an objective to restore trust between the government and citizens.

    The vice president pledged President Muhammadu Buhari’s support for the Lagos State-led recovery effort, but said the presidency still awaits the full report of Lagos destruction in order to know the level of support required from the Federal Government.

    According to him, “On behalf of the Federal Government, let me assure you that we stand with the great people of Lagos as you undertake this difficult journey of rebuilding the lost assets. It my conviction that Lagos and the nation at large will emerge from this crisis better and stronger.”

    Also speaking at the event, Gbajabiamila said the level of destruction was heartbreaking and the loss on hardworking people was monumental, praising Sanwo-Olu for his doggedness and courage to lift the spirit of Lagos State in the face of devastation.

    The Speaker said the effort to restore Lagos would go beyond budget, adding: “It requires special intervention from the Federal Government.”

    In his remarks, Sanwo-Olu described the proportion of the devastation suffered by Lagos State as unprecedented, saying the coordinated violence set Lagos economy, the fifth largest in Africa, back by hundreds of billions of Naira.

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    The destruction, the governor said, tore down the fortress of Lagos commerce built over centuries ago, adding that those who carried out the violence made an attempt to ruin values that stood the state out as centre of creativity and innovation in the country.

    Sanwo-Olu said the consultative forum was to set the stage for the necessary public-private partnerships and collaborations required for the task of rebuilding and restoration of the infrastructure that was destroyed.

    He said: “The violence we witnessed last October is the most widespread carnage the state has seen in decades. Every aspect of life and livelihood in Lagos was affected – government buildings, offices, public monuments and historical archives, public infrastructure and very sadly too, private property and investments.

    “The violence has, no doubt, set our economy back by hundreds of billions of Naira, and impacted our confidence.

    “We have, however, found hope and great strength in the offers of assistance from far and wide, which culminated in the constitution of the Lagos Rebuild Committee to coordinate our efforts to rebuild and upgrade our state.

    “We seek to restore the infrastructure that was destroyed, to revive the energy and confidence of everyone who has been affected by these losses, to help restore the confidence of the people of Lagos in the infinite potentials of Lagos. Lagos State Government cannot do this alone. We need all the help that we can get.”

    The governor disclosed that his administration would be setting aside a huge amount of money as the state’s collateral in the recovery effort, adding that the Cardoso-led team that would be coordinating the Trust Fund would be given legislative backing through an Executive Bill that would soon be transmitted to Lagos State House of Assembly.

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    He promised that money that would be donated into the Trust Fund would go into rebuilding and re-tooling security infrastructure, strengthening public transportation systems, restoring judicial and local government operations, rebuilding damaged public monuments.

    Sanwo-Olu emphasised that transparency and accountability would be foundational elements in the implementation of the mandate of the rebuilding committee, noting that the fund-raising and disbursement would be supervised by FBN Trustees Limited.

    Emefiele, on his part, said the unrest impacted greatly on the national economy, adding that Lagos particularly must sustain the recovery effort to protect its economy from catastrophic consequences.

    Given the magnitude of losses and devastation that trailed the unrest, the CBN governor disclosed that Bankers’ Committee and key stakeholders in the private sector would be unveiling a recovery blueprint next week to support all households and businesses affected by the crisis.

    The intervention being delivered under Coalition Against COVID-19 (Ca-COVID) Alliance would lead to an effort of rebuilding all the razed police stations and a five-year plan to generate millions of job for the youth.

    “I am pleased to note that the Ca-COVID Alliance will, over the next week, be unveiling a blueprint that will provide details of our planned support that positively affect households and businesses. This is in addition to measures that will create millions of jobs for our youths over the next five years. Many parts of the country were affected by the unrest, but Lagos remains the worst hit.

    “The Ca-COVID Alliance is fully aware of the vital relationship between security and a prosperous economy. The damage done on police stations in different parts of the country can undermine provision of adequate security, which is vital to households and businesses.

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    “The Ca-COVID Alliance is committed to the rebuilding and rehabilitation of all the 44 police stations destroyed in the unrest. More than half of the police stations are in Lagos; funds will be provided to rebuild these stations,” Emefiele said.

    He added that Bankers’ Committee had started to take stock of private businesses destroyed in the violence, pointing out that those with existing loan facilities and those with no loan would be supported to come back on their feet.

    Also speaking, Cardoso promised that members of the rebuilding committee would give their full commitment to the recovery process, pointing out that the best decision Sanwo-Olu took was to get the private sector involved in the rebuilding effort.

    “The task may seem though and arduous, but it is not unachievable. We will do it,” Cardoso assured.

    Other members of the rebuilding committee are: the Managing Partner, Olaniwun Ajayi LP, Konyinsola Ajayi, SAN; Chief Executive Officer of Sterling Bank, Abubakar Suleiman; Co-founder and CEO, Flutterwave, Gbenga Agboola; Vice Chairman, Standard Chartered Bank, Bola Adesola – all representing the private sector – and a representative of an International Donor Agency.

    Lagos State Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Sam Egube, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works and Infrastructure, Jimi Hotonou, are members of the committee representing the public sector.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • #EndSARS: House of Reps Commits to Supporting FG’s Efforts to Rebuild Lagos, Others

    #EndSARS: House of Reps Commits to Supporting FG’s Efforts to Rebuild Lagos, Others

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has said that the House is ready to support the interventions of the Federal Government to rebuild Lagos and other states worst hit by the recent EndSars protests.

    Gbajabiamila also tasked Lagosians to put heads and resources together to rebuild the state in view of the destruction of properties worth billions of naira in the state.

    Speaking at the inauguration of the Board of Trustees of the Rebuild Lagos Trust Fund on Monday in Lagos, Gbajabiamila said he was heartbroken after going round the state for an on-the-spot assessment of the devastation that followed the unrest.

    He said it is time for Lagosians to put aside partisan politics and stand up to rebuild the state, saying “I believe more than ever before that saying, Eko o ni baje, and the quick reply is, O baje ti’.

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    “I believe in my heart, that this saying can never be truer than now, that Eko o ni baje, o de baje ti. (Never will Lagos go bad, never).

    “We will rebuild this state with everything that we need, with all the tools at our disposal, we will rebuild Lagos. This is the time to prove it, that Eko o ni baje,” he said.

    He said in rebuilding the state, there should be a public-private partnership, which he said would be one of the best ways to face the task.

    “I think it goes beyond budget or appropriation. It will call for a special intervention from the Federal Government to make sure that monies are devoted, not just to Lagos, although Lagos bears the major devastation.

    “So it’s going to be panoramic; it’s going to be for all the states, but we all know that Lagos bears the brunt of the devastation.

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    Gbajabiamila said in working for Nigerians, the 9th House would try as much as it could to abide by its slogan, which is ‘Nation Building: A Joint Task.

    “So we will pull all our friends and colleagues and talk to them that we don’t look at this from a state or political prism but a nationalistic point of view and make sure that what needs to be done would be done.

    “We will remain our brother’s keepers. That’s what we do in the National Assembly, be our brother’s keepers, and that’s what we will do for Lagos State and the rest of the country.”

  • Labour Union in Nigeria Rejects Another Hike in Petrol, Knocks Government on Failed Responsibilities

    Labour Union in Nigeria Rejects Another Hike in Petrol, Knocks Government on Failed Responsibilities

    The immediate reversal of the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as petrol has been demanded by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) on Monday.

    The demand was made known In a statement by the NLC President, Ayuba Wabba, who condemned the increase in the price of the product by the Federal Government.

    It stated that the recent hike in petrol pump price has worsened the level of pain and anguish in the country.

    According to the NLC, it is worrisome to make Nigerians continue to suffer for the failures of successive governments to properly manage the nation’s refineries.

    It added that the development has questioned the explanations made by the government on the payment of subsidy.

    The union insisted that the nation would not have been in its present position if the government had been alive to its responsibilities.

    It warned that Nigerians have a limit to tolerate the continued increase in the price of refined petroleum products and other essential goods and services.

    On the way forward, the NLC asked the government to fix the nation’s refineries, stressing that several options were available to tackle the trend of high prices of refined petroleum products.

    Among other recommendations, it asked the government to declare a state of emergency in the downstream petroleum sector and seal refining deals with refineries closer to Nigeria.

    A file photo of an attendant filling the fuel tank of a car.

    The union was, however, silent on what action it would take if the increased price was not reversed.

    The Federal Government had announced a new pump price band for petroleum products, raising the ex-depot price of petrol to N155.17, making marketers sell between N165 and N173 per litre to consumers.

    Read the full statement by the NLC below:

    THE NIGERIA LABOUR CONGRESS CONDEMNS AND REJECTS THE RECENT INCREASE IN THE PRICE OF PETROL (PREMIUM MOTOR SPIRIT)

    There is no doubt that there is great disquiet in the land over the extraordinary level of inflation in the country. The recent increase in the pump price of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) has only exacerbated the current level of pain and anguish in the country.

    The recent increase in the pump price of PMS is clearly against the spirit and content of what Organized Labour agreed with government at the last negotiations over the last fuel price increase.

    It has also cast in very bad light our utmost good faith with regards to government explanations that it lacks funds to continue bankrolling the so-called subsidy payments as such would sooner than later cripple the entire economy, throw the country into severe economic crisis and cause loss of jobs in millions.

    While we await the full recovery of our refineries as contained in our agreement with government, Nigerians cannot be made to bleed endlessly for the failures of successive government to properly manage our refineries, ensure value for money for the numerous Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) which were poorly and barely executed and the horrifying lack of interest in prosecuting public officials and private business people who have profited from the rot in our petroleum sector and the collective misery they have imposed on the general population.

    The truth is that we would not have been in this precarious situation if government had been alive to its responsibilities. There is a limit to what the citizens can tolerate if this abysmal increases in the price of refined petroleum products and other essential goods and services continue.

    While we fix our refineries, there are a number of options open to government to stem the tide of high prices of refined petroleum products. One is for government to declare a state of emergency in our downstream petroleum sector. As a follow up to this, government should enter into contract refining with refineries closer home to Nigeria.

    This will ensure that the cost of supplying of crude oil is negotiated away from prevailing international market rate so that the landing cost of refined petroleum products is significantly reduced.

    Government should also demonstrate the will to stamp out the smuggling of petroleum products out of Nigeria. We need to see big-time petroleum smugglers arraigned in the court of law and made to pay for their crimes against the Nigerian people. Government has the resources available to it to ensure this economic justice to Nigerians.

    The question in the minds of many Nigerians is if government is willing to go headlong against major financiers of the major political parties known to the public as the architects of the current national woe.

    We also demand that Nigerians should be carried along on the distribution of refined petroleum products. Information of the distribution of petroleum products to petrol stations should be advertised and made public knowledge.

    It should not be difficult to establish the average time it takes a petrol station to exhaust its supplies. There is already an established market trend which will help government fix the rot in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector.

    Second, we call on government to review the entire process of licensing for modular and bigger refineries. It is queer to depend on the enterprise of one man to fix Nigeria’s downstream petroleum subsector. The more public and private refineries in play, the higher the competition.

    This would serve end consumers who would benefit from lower prices. Organized Labour will not accept a fait accompli of the monopoly of Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector or the emergence of a cartel of Oligarchs whose end game is mass pauperisation.

    Third, in line with our recent agreement with government, we will be receiving updates in the next few days from our unions in the petroleum sector which have been given the mandate to keep surveillance on government promise to overhaul our public refineries.

    We will also receive updates from our representatives in the electricity review committee. The updates we receive will determine whether the government has kept to its side of the bargain which is to take serious steps to recover and reposition our public refineries.

    The outcome of this engagement will determine our response in the coming days. But while we are at that, we condemn the recent price increase, and we call for its reversal with immediate effect.

    Comrade Ayuba Wabba, mni

    President

    16th November 2020

  • Police in Lagos Raids Black Spots, Arrests 720 Suspects with Incriminating Items

    Police in Lagos Raids Black Spots, Arrests 720 Suspects with Incriminating Items

    The Lagos Police Command on Sunday arrested 720 suspects with incriminating items including locally-made guns and life cartridges, charms, weed suspected to be Indian hemp, substances suspected to be cocaine and some items suspected to have been looted from various shopping outlets within the state during the recent Endsars violence.

    According to a statement by Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos Command, SP Muyiwa Adejobi, “the raids was carried out at 7am simultaneously on identified black spots, reasonably believed to be harbouring criminals and hoodlums, across the fourteen (14) Area Commamds in Lagos State”.

    The police spokesman stated that the sting operation was in line with the command’s resolve to launch an offensive against criminality and lawlessness in Nigeria’s commercial capital.

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    Some of the suspected looters.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, who matched his words with actions, had earlier warned and directed police officers and men to move against lawlessness and criminality in Lagos. He affirmed the zeal of the command to sustain the operations, even, beyond the yuletide season.

    “CP Hakeem Odumosu has however directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of SCID, panti, to commence discreet investigation on the arrested suspects for immediate prosecution. He also urged those whose items were looted during the recent Endsars violence to come up for claims of their items with prove of ownership.”

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    Furthermore, the police commissioner was said to have commended officers of the Lagos Police Command.

    “The police chief commended the officers and men of the command for the successful operations, while he charged them to be at alert for more operations across the state” Adejobi stated.

    Following the violence that erupted after hoodlums hijacked the EndSARS protest, the Lagos Police Command relaunched its anti crime strategies to curb crimes and criminality across the state, and solidify the security apparatus of Lagos State.

  • Ijebu-Ode-Epe Expressway Ready By Christmas 2020 – Ogun Governor

    Ijebu-Ode-Epe Expressway Ready By Christmas 2020 – Ogun Governor

    Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, weekend, declared that the 14.7km Ijebu-Ode-Epe Expressway would be ready for use by Christmas 2020.

    Governor Abiodun said: “The contractors have assured me that they will intensify work on this road. I have insisted because we have Christmas approaching, and so, they must complete one segment of this road – one lane all the way to Ijebu-Ode.

    “They, in turn assured me that in the next 10 days, they would have completed about eight to nine kilometres of one lane, and promised to ensure that by Christmas, the entire stretch going all the way from Epe to Ijebu-Ode is completed.

    “Furthermore, we’ve just awarded the interchange flyover contract that will allow for ease of traffic from this road into Ijebu-Ode and onto the expressway, so that we do not have a situation where people are speeding on this road and they run onto Sagamu-Ore Expressway and then we begin to have accidents like we’ve seen in other interchanges or intersections.

    “It is going to be a loop, that has been awarded. The contractor has started to mobilise and get ready to begin that loop.”

    Abiodun added that the opening of the road would further open up the corridor for more industrial activity, while noting that the road when completed would also increase the efficiency of travel and longevity of road.

    The governor pointed out that the road, when completed, would not only connect Ogun State to Lagos State, but connect the mid-western states of the country to the eastern part.

    He noted that the road would also help to reduce the burden of traffic on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

    “This road connects not just Ogun State to Lagos State. It connects the rest of the mid-western Nigeria to the eastern part of the country, so by doing this road, we are increasing the efficiency of travel, and longevity of the road itself.

    “This stretch will now be open to more industrial activity as Lagos is expanding along Lekki corridor: this is where you have the Free Trade Zone, Dangote Refinery. Industrial expansion is in this area, so we are opening up this road to increased economic activity,” he said.

    Abiodun said his administration has awarded the construction of Molipa Expressway, while noting that construction work would soon commence as the contractors have already been mobilised.

    In their separate remarks, some residents, Oluwaseun Odumade and Oluwatoyin Omotayo, appreciated the Abiodun administration for the quality and network of road construction in Ijebu-Ode-Epe, Imowo-Ibadan and Awujale Palace-Stadium roads.

    They noted that the roads when completed would aid the economic development of Ijebu-Ode in particular, and Ogun State in general.

    Idowu Sowunmi

  • Lagos to Close Ilupeju, Ogunmokun, Jibowu, Yaba Level Crossing for Railway Modernisation

    Lagos to Close Ilupeju, Ogunmokun, Jibowu, Yaba Level Crossing for Railway Modernisation

    Lagos State Government has announced plans to temporarily close Railway Level Crossing at Ilupeju, Ogunmokun, Jibowu and Yaba in continuation of the ongoing Nigerian Railway Modernisation Project (Lagos-Ibadan section) with extension to Lagos Port in Apapa.

    The government, in a statement by Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, enumerated that the closure of the Railway Level Crossing is scheduled for November 15, 16 and 18 for Ilupeju; Ogunmokun; as well as Jibowu and Yaba respectively, from 8pm to 7am each day.

    The statement noted that the construction works on the designated routes would focus on track stress dispersion and locking at various level crossing joints of the Standard Gauge Railway. It further advises motorists to utilise suggested alternative routes during the daily closure to enhance the free flow of traffic in the axis.

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    Motorists plying Ilupeju level crossing would be diverted to Ogunmokun, Yaba and Jibowu Crossing to access their desired destinations, while those who intend to use Ogunmokun Road or access other areas from the route are advised to use Ilupeju crossing to Mushin, Oshodi and Surulere to connect their desired destinations.

    The statement explained that the identified alternative routes would be used interchangeably to ease movement, assuring that traffic management personnel would be available to ensure the free flow of traffic during the scheduled closure.

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    While advising motorists to comply with the traffic directions put in place to minimise inconveniences during the period, Lagos State Government reiterated its determination to provide a seamless multi-modal transport system to meet the transportation needs of its large population.

    Idowu Sowunmi