Cloned Nigerian Anchor

Category: South West

  • Taskforce nabs 21 illegal street traders in Lagos

    Taskforce nabs 21 illegal street traders in Lagos

    The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit (Taskforce) has arrested 21 suspected street traders during an operation to clear illegal trading in the state.

    The taskforce’s Director of Press and Public Affairs, Mr Abdulraheem Gbadeyan, confirmed the development in a statement on Thursday in Lagos.

    Please Read: Echoes of ‘iya shukudi’ in Trade fair Demolitions

    He said the enforcement was carried out at Iyana-Iba and Ojo areas along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway.

    According to him, the exercise was part of the agency’s ongoing clean-up drive against street trading, illegal ticketing, unauthorised road blockages, and unapproved bus stops.

    Gbadeyan said the team visited Iyana-Iba and adjoining roads where traders had resumed selling on the newly constructed roads, obstructing traffic and defacing the environment.

    He added that 21 suspects, including 15 males and six females, were arrested, while their goods and wares displayed on the roads were seized.

    Normalcy, he said, had been restored to all affected areas following the enforcement exercise.

    Read Also: The ShopRite Empty Shelves Video: Critical Economic Analysis

    Gbadeyan noted that all suspects would be prosecuted, while the confiscated items would be forfeited in line with the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Laws of 2017 and Transport Sector Reform Law of 2018.

    The taskforce chairman, CSP Shola Akerele, warned traders against displaying goods on highways and walkways, as such acts obstruct traffic flow and cause congestion.

    Gbadeyan also urged street traders, unathorised revenue collectors, and operators of unauthorised bus stops to desist or face the full weight of the law. 

  • APC stages a protest march in Ibadan

    APC stages a protest march in Ibadan

    Reminiscent of its classic opposition antics, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State, on Monday, embarked on a protest over the alleged victimisation of  its lawmaker in the state assembly.

    The protests march was staged across major roads in Ibadan over in respect of Mr Ibraheem Shittu whom it alleged was being victimised by the state government.

    Shittu (APC- Saki West State Constituency), the party claimed, had a fortnight ago raised alarm over an approval granted to Gov. Seyi Makinde by the legislature to secure a loan of of N300 billion.

    The protest, which began at the party’s secretariat in Oke Ado, drew large turnout of APC members and supporters, led by the State Chairman, Alhaji Olayide Abas.

    The protesters, who carried placards and chanted solidarity songs, marched from the party’s  secretariat at Oke Ado to Dugbe, Mokola and back to Oke-Ado , demanding immediate protection for Shittu.

    The APC chairman said that the lawmaker had since raising the alarm had received several threat messages, prompting fears for his safety, thus sparking the protest.

    Abas insisted that the protest was to express solidarity with Shittu, describing him as courageous for standing against what the party termed “reckless borrowing.”

    “We are here to tell the governor not to send Oyo into perpetual debt. What happened to earlier loans?” Abas asked while addressing journalists at the secretariat.

    He said the APC would not fold its arms while its member is allegedly harassed, stressing that the party was fully behind Shittu’s stance against the loan deal.

    “I have the protest letter here, he should not be victimised.”

    The APC chairman vowed to resist any attempt to silence opposition voices, declaring that “the process to take over Oyo has started.”

    The protest was monitored by security operatives including the police to prevent its hijack by hoodlums. 

  • Police clear gridlock on Third Mainland Bridge as residents protest Oworonshoki demolition

    Police clear gridlock on Third Mainland Bridge as residents protest Oworonshoki demolition

    Says CP Jimoh directed the use of minimal force to disperse the crowd

    Residents of Oworo turned out in large numbers, early on Monday to protest the decision of the state government to carry out massive demolition of their houses without adequate notice or compensation, leaving many families displaced.

    The Police Command in Lagos State says normalcy has been restored on the 3rd Mainland Bridge following a protest staged by residents of Oworo over demolitions in their area.

    The command Deputy spokesperson, DSP Babaseyi Oluseyi made this known in a statement on Monday in Lagos.

    He said that the protesters had blocked the section of the bridge near Iyana Oworo Bus Stop, obstructing movement from the Island to the Mainland.

    Oluseyi said that upon receiving the information, the Commissioner of Police(CP), Mr Olohundare Jimoh, swiftly moved to the scene alongside detachments of the Mobile Police Force, Tactical Units, and Police Mobile Force personnel.

    “His presence was to ensure immediate engagement, de-escalation, and the protection of lives and property.

    “CP Jimoh personally interfaced with the protesters in a bid to understand their grievances and persuade them to vacate the bridge, ” he said.

    The image maker said that when the commissioner appeal failed and the road remained blocked, he ordered the use of minimal force to disperse the crowd.

    “Despite his appeals, the protesters remained adamant, resulting in continued blockage of the busy route and worsening the distress of commuters, including reports of sick individuals trapped in traffic who required urgent medical attention.

    “In the interest of public safety and to avert further breakdown of law and order, CP Jimoh directed the use of minimal force to disperse the crowd.

    “Barricades erected by the protesters were dismantled, traffic obstructions were cleared, and the free flow of vehicles was restored without any loss of life, ” the spokesperson said.

    According to Oluseyi, the command reassures the public of its neutrality and unwavering commitment to maintaining law, order, and peace across the state.

    He called on residents to always channel their grievances through lawful means while assuring that the police remained dedicated to protecting the rights of all citizens.

  • Villagers protest alleged land grabbing by Okitipupa Oil palm Coy

    Villagers protest alleged land grabbing by Okitipupa Oil palm Coy

    Crisis is brewing in Ikoya community, Okitipupa LGA, Ondo State, as residents on Wednesday protested alleged arrest of some community members over land acquisition by the Okitipupa Oil Palm Company (OOPC).

    The protesters at Ikoya, accused OOPC management and the police of “unjust arrest and detention” of some members of the community.

    The protesters carried placards with inscriptions like: “OOPPlc, Obey Supreme Court Judgment and Quit Our Land’; “Enough of Police Harassment and Intimidation”; “Free Three Ikales and Release Your Landlord Unconditionally”.

    Some of the protesters who spoke to newsmen demanded the immediate and unconditional release of members of the community arrested and detained by the police.

    They alleged that the police arrested three of their community members, namely: Mrs. Bose Loyinmi-Ogunlowo, Mrs. Rachael Akinirun and Mr Orimisan Adelokiki, the national leader of Ikale Supreme Civil Right Council, over land dispute with OOPC.

    They also demanded the eviction of OOPC from their land, alleging that the company had no valid agreement with the community before acquiring the oil palm plantation.

    They presented a Supreme Court judgment of 1988 as evidence, which they claimed ruled that OOPC should negotiate a valid agreement with the community or vacate the land.

    They, however, called on Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa to wade into the issue as a matter of urgency before it resulted to crisis.

    Mr Feyi Ekundayo, a Human Right Activist told newsmen that Ikoya people are law-abiding citizens but would not let anyone to unlawfully take the possession of their land under any guise.

    “We will not tolerate the acquisition of our land under any guise. We’re peace loving people but we will resist further harassment and intimidation of our people over our lawful property.

    “We call for the immediate and unconditional release of our people arrested and detained by the police, because an injustice to one is injustice to all,” Ekundayo said.

    Mr Oluyemi Akinirun, Cordinator of Ikale Supreme Civil Right Council also alleged that the OOPC acquired Ikoya Oil Palm plantation unlawfully, saying the company do not have any valid agreement with the community.

    “What we’re asking for is very simple, OOPC should present any agreement for the acquisition of our land but they refused and begin harassing and intimidating our leaders, even my wife, Rachael, was arrested over the matter.

    “We have a 1988 Supreme Court judgment which ruled that OOPC should have proper agreement with us or vacate our plantation, this is our evidence and we will not rest on our oars over this matter,” Akinirun said.

    Another youth leader, Mr Olusola Adenodi appealed to the governor to step into the matter, so as to prevent the breakdown of law and order.

    Reacting to the protest, the Police spokesman in the state, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade said that those arrested had been arraigned and remanded on the order of the court. 

  • Sanusi accepts outcome of Ojokoro LCDA APC primary

    Sanusi accepts outcome of Ojokoro LCDA APC primary

    Mr Mobolaji Sanusi, a chairmanship aspirant has accepted the outcome of the APC primary election in Ojokoro LCDA, Lagos state.

    Some party leaders reportedly described Sanusi as an imposed candidate. In a statement on Sunday, he said he accepted the party’s final decision without further contest.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that APC Electoral Committee Chairman, Mr Babatunde Ogala, SAN, declared Oluyemisi Rosiji winner of Saturday’s primary at the APC Secretariat.

    Fifty-five of the 57 expected APC chairmanship candidates for the July 12 Lagos Local Government elections emerged from the party’s just-concluded primaries.

    Sanusi, a leading aspirant in Ojokoro, disputed the announced 21-2 vote tally, calling it “outrageously concocted” and lacking credibility.

    He said he participated in the primaries to secure the party’s mandate to run for Ojokoro LCDA chairman.

    “The score of 21-2 is outrageously concocted. But I accept it. It is absolutely fine by me.

    “I did not lose the APC ACME Secretariat primary. Those responsible for the laughable score will face their conscience, forever,” he said.

    However, Sanusi pledged loyalty to the party. “The party has spoken, and that’s final. We’ve moved from complaint to reality,” he said.

    He reaffirmed his commitment, saying he would contribute to the party’s success going forward, in spite of the outcome.

    Sanusi, former MD/CEO of Lagos State Signage & Advertisement Agency (LASAA), insisted the result wasn’t due to a lack of qualification or leadership experience.

    He revealed that 12 out of 18 LCDA leaders, including a key woman leader, had endorsed him as the consensus candidate.

    Sanusi expressed gratitude to supporters, especially the Speaker of the Lagos House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, for his steadfast support.

    “To him and my thousands of supporters: we have not lost,” Sanusi said, offering reassurance.

    He added, “Ojokoro has been denied the chance to have a competent, credible, and tested leader for the next four years.”

  • 25-year-old man hangs self in Ogun forest

    25-year-old man hangs self in Ogun forest

    The Nigeria Police, Ogun state is investigating the death of a man, Toye Dominic, 25, who allegedly took his own life by hanging himself.

    The incident occurred in a forest in Alagbodagbo Village., Ijebu Igbo area of the state.

    CSP Omolola Odutola, the command’s spokesperson, disclosed this in a statement in Abeokuta on Thursday.

    She explained that the body of the deceased was found at the scene of the incident at about 4:30p.m.

    She said that the incident was reported at the Ijebu Igbo Divisional Headquarters by a local hunter named Kareem Olawalose who discovered the deceased body while on a hunting expedition.

    Odutola disclosed that after making the discovery, Oluwalose sought help from a nearby village, where he met Joseph Dominic, the elder brother of the deceased.

    She stated that the elder brother revealed that his brother had left for the farm earlier that morning but failed to return, prompting a search by family members, which was fruitless.

    READ ALSO: Agency says 68million Nigerians captured in social register

    “Police officers and villagers on arrival at the scene, observed that the deceased had set aside his farm tools before proceeding further into the forest, where he was found hanging from a tree.
    “No suicide note was found, and family members expressed shock and disbelief over the incident.

    “The police have documented the scene with photographic evidence, and the body has been transferred to General Hospital, Ijebu Ode, for further examination,” she said.

    Odutola pledged that the command would conduct a thorough investigation to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.

    She urged the public to remain vigilant and sought support for individuals experiencing distress or emotional struggle.

    She added that mental health awareness and timely intervention remained crucial in preventing such unfortunate incidents.

    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10988134

  • Ondo farmers petition state government over threat to livelihood

    Ondo farmers petition state government over threat to livelihood

     Farmers in Oluwa Forest Reserve in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State have petitioned Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, over alleged threat to their livelihoods.

    The farmers, through their lawyer, Mr Tope Temokun, submitted the petition to Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Friday in Akure.

    The farmers accused a personality in one of the government agency of unsavoury acts capable of bringing  the state into disrepute.

    In the petition, the official was alleged of setting the farmers up for quick and forceful eviction under the guise of restoring peace.

    They explained that there was a subsisting order of the Ondo State High Court restraining government from evicting the farmers from the forest reserve pending the outcome of the court’s verdicts.

    READ ALSO: The day diplomacy died in the Oval Office

    “Since 2023, there is a case in the High Court of Ondo State over forceful eviction of farmers in the Oluwa Forest Reserve with a subsisting interim order of court restraining the Ondo State Government and others from forcefully evicting the farmers.

    “Now, the Ondo State Agribusiness Empowerment Centre (OSAEC) is now laying claim to ownership of Oluwa Forest Reserve, which is the subject matter of dispute before the High Court of Ondo State, asking for injunction against the occupiers of the forest reserve,”the farmers said.

    The farmers said that the governor’s intervention was necessary at this time to ensure that they have access to their farm crops and that there would be no victimisation against them.

    “Intervene immediately in this matter to ensure that the farmers are allowed to access their farmlands and harvest their crops without victimisation, further threats, harassment or intimidation.

    “While the High Court is allowed to determine the case already presented before it, if government will not settle the matter out of court with the farmers.

    READ ALSO: Tax reform bills, the verdict of Nigerians

    “Investigate the role of the Ondo State Agribusiness Empowerment Centre (OSAEC) under Mr Rotimi Akinsola in this whole development.

    “Provide protection for the farmers and ensure that their rights are respected and their interest protected under your government.

    “We trust in your commitment to justice, fairness, and the welfare of the people of Ondo State.

    “We hope that you will act swiftly to address this issue and prevent further suffering among the farmers,” the petition read.

  • Impeachment: Lagos Assembly offers the olive branch

    Impeachment: Lagos Assembly offers the olive branch

    The  Lagos State House of Assembly has pledged harmonious relationship with the executive arm of government.

    The Chairman, House Committee on Information, Mr. Stephen Ogundipe (APC- Oshodi/Isolo I) ,made the pledge in an interview with journalists on Monday in Lagos.

    Mr. Ogundipe  made the pledge following the impeachment of Mr Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker on Monday.

    A total of 32 out of the 40 lawmakers ,at an emergency plenary, impeached Obasa via voice votes  over alleged gross misconduct.

    The Assembly subsequently elected and swore in  Deputy Speaker ,Mrs Mojisola Meranda (APC-Apapa I) to replace Obasa.

    READ ALSO: Air Peace Air fairs: Keyamo lashes out at FCCPC

    The House also suspended the Clerk of the Assembly, Mr Olalekan Onafeko,indefinitely during the plenary.

    Ogundipe said under the new Speaker, the Assembly would ensure the executive arm of government ,led by Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu,,  enjoy the support of the legislature.

    The lawmaker said a good  relationship between the executive and legislature was necessary to achieve  the  development goals of the  current administration in the state.

    According to him, the new Speaker has shown commitment and passion to collaborate with other arms of government, especially the executive, for the success of the administration .

    READ ALSO: Kano Emirate Tussle: Kingmaker appeals Court of Appeal judgement

    “Today,  there was a change of leadership in the Lagos State House of Assembly as the former  Speaker, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, was removed and his former  deputy ,Mrs Mojisola Miranda ,was  elected as new Speaker.

    “There is no division in the House over the development .All members have pledged allegiance to the new Speaker, Mrs  Mojisola Meranda , and she has since settled down in office.

    “She has assured of legislature’s  harmonious working relationship with the executive and that all hands must be on deck to ensure continued  development  of  the state,” Ogundipe said.

  • MAN Calls on Governor Sanwo-Olu to Address Industrial Shutdown in Lagos State

    MAN Calls on Governor Sanwo-Olu to Address Industrial Shutdown in Lagos State

    The Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) has called on the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to urgently intervene in the recent closure of several factories by the Lagos State Water Regulatory Commission (LASWARCO). 

    MAN described the action as unjust, ill-timed, and detrimental to the manufacturing sector.

    According to a statement issued by the association, LASWARCO sealed factories over allegations of non-payment of exorbitant water abstraction fees, which reportedly exceed N100 million per company. 

    MAN criticized the move, stating that it undermines ongoing negotiations and agreements reached between the association and LASWARCO, including plans for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) set to commence in January 2025.

    READ ALSO: Tax Reform Bills: The North Must Modernise Anyhow

    “This action is both inappropriate and disruptive,” said Segun Ajayi-Kadir, Director General of MAN.

     “It comes at a time when manufacturers are already grappling with a harsh economic environment characterized by unsold inventory, high borrowing costs, and rising energy expenses.”

    MAN noted that the closure of these factories poses a significant threat to the state’s economy, including potential job losses and a decline in investor confidence. The association highlighted that manufacturers nationwide are already burdened with over N1.2 billion in unsold goods, borrowing costs of over 30%, a 250% increase in energy expenses, and multiple taxes and levies from various tiers of government. 

    The association further warned that the imposition of excessive water abstraction fees by LASWARCO could set a troubling precedent for other states, exacerbating the challenges faced by private businesses.

    MAN has urged Governor Sanwo-Olu to direct the reopening of the affected factories to allow for a logical resolution of the ongoing discussions. 

    The association emphasized the importance of concluding the MoU to establish a fair and sustainable framework for addressing water-related fees.

    “We appeal to the Governor to act decisively to protect the manufacturing sector, safeguard jobs, and promote a business-friendly regulatory environment,” Ajayi-Kadir added.

    As manufacturers await action from the Governor, MAN expressed hope for a swift resolution to prevent further disruptions and safeguard the livelihoods of thousands of workers.

  • Tinubu Orders Investigation into Ibadan Funfair Tragedy

    Tinubu Orders Investigation into Ibadan Funfair Tragedy

      

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed sorrow over the recent incident at a children’s funfair in Ibadan that claimed lives and left several injured.

     Extending condolences to the affected families and the Oyo State community, the President mourned the loss of young lives in the unfortunate event.  

    In response, Tinubu has directed authorities to thoroughly investigate the incident to uncover its cause and address any lapses.

     He has also urged the Oyo State Government to strengthen safety measures at public gatherings to avoid similar occurrences in the future.  

    ALSO READ: Tinubu Names Chairmen, MD’s, Executive Director’s for 12 River Basin Dev Authorities

    Calling for stricter adherence to safety protocols, the President reminded event organisers of their responsibility to ensure the well-being of all attendees, particularly children. 

    He highlighted the need for regular safety inspections and professional oversight at public venues to prevent future tragedies.

    AFP reports that a stampede at a school funfair in the southwestern Nigerian city of Ibadan has killed 35 children and seriously injured six others.

    A socialite and former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Olori Naomi Ogunwusi, the lead sponsor of the funfair was arrested by the @Ngpolice on Thursday.