The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • 404 Constables pass-out in Lagos, deployed to home-States

    404 Constables pass-out in Lagos, deployed to home-States

    With a charge to uphold professionalism and human rights, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun announced that 404 recruit constables who passed out from the Police College, Ikeja, have been deployed to their states of origin. 

    The 404 were among 30,000 recruited earlier this year in line with the approval of President Bola Tinubu to boost the strength of the police.

    Speaking at the passing out ceremony, Egbetokun, who was represented by the Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Zone 2, Adegoke Fayoade, stressed the need for the new cops to uphold integrity. 

    He said the graduation of the recruits across the country represented a milestone in efforts to strengthen national security and deepen public trust in the service. 

    Egbetokun revealed that the latest exercise brought the total number of recruits trained since he assumed office to 20,000, adding that the new officers had undergone six months of rigorous training covering modern policing standards, community partnership, and intelligence-led policing.

    Read Also: Senate proposes 10-year passport ban on Nigerians convicted abroad

    He commended President Bola Tinubu for his sustained support to the police, noting the approval for the recruitment of 30,000 constables annually to address manpower shortages and improve security delivery nationwide.

    The police chief announced that arrangements had been concluded to commence the next phase of recruitment in line with the presidential directive, adding that the Force was committed to building a “modern, reformed, and professional institution that Nigerians can trust and take pride in.”

    Egbetokun said most of the newly trained officers had been deployed to their states of origin in line with the police policy on community-oriented policing. 

    The move, he explained, was to foster local trust, enhance intelligence gathering, and promote effective collaboration between officers and residents.

    Addressing the constables, the IGP urged them to see policing as a sacred duty rather than a mere job, warning against corruption, extortion, and abuse of power.

    “The uniform you wear is a symbol of trust. It must never be used to intimidate or oppress the people you are sworn to protect,” he said. 

    Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was represented by the Lagos Commissioner of Police (CP) Olohundare Jimoh. 

  • Police intensify raid on uncompleted buildings, abandoned structures in Abuja

    Police intensify raid on uncompleted buildings, abandoned structures in Abuja

    The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Commissioner of Police, Ajao Adewale has directed all Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to intensify patrols and carry out thorough raids on all uncompleted buildings and suspected criminal hideouts within their jurisdictions.

    Adewale said the development is in a continued effort to strengthen security and ensure the safety of lives and property across the FCT.

    A statement issued on Tuesday by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josphine Adeh said, “The directive, which takes immediate effect, forms part of proactive measures to prevent criminals from using abandoned or ongoing construction sites as hideouts or operational bases. Consequently, property developers are urged to visit the nearest police divisions and ensure their security personnel, artisans, and labourers sleeping at active construction sites are properly documented and profiled before the end of October 2025.

    READ ALSO; Nigeria’s non-interest capital market hits N1.6tr

    “CP Ajao further ordered that DPOs must conduct regular patrols of such locations and arrest any unidentified persons found on-site after 6:00 p.m. Additionally, the Commissioner reiterated that scavenging activities (popularly known as “Baban Bola”) remain strictly prohibited within the FCT. Residents are advised to report any scavengers or suspicious persons sighted around their neighbourhoods immediately to the police.

    “Emphasising that security is a collective responsibility, CP Adewale called on residents, estate associations, and community leaders to cooperate fully with the police by reporting suspicious movements in their areas, ensuring that all security guards and domestic staff are properly profiled by the police, and avoiding the harbouring of unknown persons within residential premises.

    “Members of the public are encouraged to report suspicious activity through the Command’s emergency lines: 08032003913, 08061581938.”

  • Adamawa: Ribadu community leaders hail NSA, FG for high impact projects

    Adamawa: Ribadu community leaders hail NSA, FG for high impact projects

    ‎‎Community leaders in Ribadu, the birthplace of National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, have showered encomiums on him and the Federal Government over what they describe as high-impact projects that the community now enjoy.

    ‎‎Leaders of the community, saying that now their development profile is fast changing for good, credit it to the projects that the NSA has been attracting from the federal government.

    ‎‎A prominent leader in the community, Hon Mustapha Ribadu who is currently the Adamawa State organising secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC) and at whose birthday event the leaders spoke, said the federal government has awarded the over 60km Yola-Gurin federal highway and the Fufore-Ribadu-Dasin Hausa highway; and has constructed industrial boreholes and an ICT centre.

    READ ALSO; Nigeria’s non-interest capital market hits N1.6tr

    ‎Mustapha Ribadu who said he decided to use the auspicious occasion of his own birthday to extend support to 400 youths and women with N10,000 cash donation each as his own expression of goodwill to his people, added that the NSA has addressed insecurity in his homestead and provided support to farmers, youths and women.

    ‎Also speaking, a respected traditional ruler and Waziri of Ribadu, Alhaji Yahya Buba expressed great joy in the purposeful leadership of President Bola Tinubu who he said made a great choice of Nuhu Ribadu as the NSA who he described as a champion both at home and outside.

    ‎”The people of Ribadu never had is so good. We cannot count the numerous interventions we got from President Bola Tinubu courtesy of our respected and patriotic son, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu,” Buba said.

    Also speaking, the traditional ruler of Dasin Hausa, the Jauro Dasin, Alhaji Shitu Ahmadu, hailed the interventions of the NSA across many development sectors in his area.

  • 2027: Suit to bar Jonathan is an abuse of court process, says Senior lawyer

    2027: Suit to bar Jonathan is an abuse of court process, says Senior lawyer

    A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Oba Maduabuchi, has stated that the suit filed in the Federal High Court, Abuja, to prevent ex-President Goodluck Jonathan from contesting in 2027 is “an abuse of court process.”

    The senior lawyer made this known on Tuesday while featuring on Arise TV’s Morning Show.

    “An abuse of court process is when you want to relitigate a case or an issue that has already been settled by a court of competent jurisdiction,” he said.

    He added that Jonathan’s qualification or disqualification has already been adjudicated in Yenegoa, and since “nobody has taken that issue on appeal … until that judgment is set aside, it remains what the law is.”

    Maduabuchi said any party that takes that settled issue to a court of coordinate jurisdiction is simply “abusing the process of the court” and branded such action as one by “a busy body.”

    Read Also: Court urged to stop Jonathan from contesting 2027 election

    He observed that what controls any situation is the law in force “when the act in issue was done,” asking whether Section 1373 existed in 2010 when Jonathan took the oath of office.

    He said the law only came into effect in 2018 and “when Goodluck Jonathan was taking the oath of office … there was no statutory limitation … which could inhibit him from running his constitutionally guaranteed two terms.”

    He questioned whether Jonathan swore any oath after the amendment of 1373 and likened attempts to apply a later law earlier to punishing someone under a law that did not exist when the act occurred.

    He recalled that judges’ retirement age was formerly 65, then changed to 70, and asked if a judge who had retired just before that change would sue to be reinstated under the new law.

    He emphasised that law demands certainty, and noted that “in 2011 and 2010, when Goodluck Jonathan swore the oath … Prohibition of 1372 was not in existence. It was not binding on him.”

    He said no “pyrotechnic” argument can breathe existence into a law that did not exist.

    He further referenced a case in the Federal Court of Appeal, which affirmed that Jonathan had the right to run, and one cannot apply retrospective laws to him.

  • Fire destroys properties in Rivers secretariat

    Fire destroys properties in Rivers secretariat

    Fire had engulfed a section of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex in Port Harcourt destroying some property.

    It was gathered that the inferno started at the ground floor of one of the tall buildings popularly called the Podium after the close of work and spread to the office of the newly constituted Rivers State Pension Board.

    Sources said the fire started at about 4pm and was reportedly caused by an electrical fault, though there was no casualty.

    Permanent Secretary of the State Ministry of Information, Dr Honour Sirawoo, confirmed the incident saying fire fighters intervened immediately to stop the inferno.

    Read Also: President to oil workers: avoid strike that undermines economy

    Sirawoo said:  “It was at the Podium Block of the State Secretariat, on the right side where the fire started from. But we are fortunate to have the State and the Federal Fire Service would intervened and did what they know best to arrest the situation.

    The State Head of Service, Dr Inyinge Brown, confirmed that no life was lost saying she was happy that the recently rehabilitated State Fire Service was on ground to quench the fire.

    She said: “We were informed that there was a fire incident at the right wing, ground floor of Podium Block and we immediately made calls to the River State Fire Service and they responded promptly.

    “We also called other partners of the state, such as the Renaissance, Federal Fire Service and the military who promptly sent their fire trucks.  It’s a combined effort, and as we speak, you can see that the fire has been contained.

    “We thank God, and we thank His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara for being proactive in rehabilitating the fire service before this time. If not for his investment in the Fire Service, this situation would have been worse”.

    She added: “We urge all civil servants to take responsibility in safety. Put off our sockets and our lights. Not just putting off the sockets, but unplug to ensure there is no residual charge because these buildings are heritage buildings and we don’t want anything to happen to them.”

  • Pastor on trial for forgery in N1.2 billion estate battle

    Pastor on trial for forgery in N1.2 billion estate battle

    A long-running family dispute over the vast estate of the late Chief Harrison Jefia has escalated into a criminal trial, with the ninth child of the deceased and cleric, Joseph Jefia, now standing before a Federal High Court in Abuja for alleged forgery and fraudulent claim of inheritance.

    The case with next hearing date fixed for October 23, is under charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/501/2024, where the Federal Government is the complainant and Joseph Jefia is the defendant.

    Mrs. Onoriode Lyn James (née Jefia), the United Kingdom-based eldest child of the late Chief Jefia, had petitioned the Pastor-in-Charge of Region 23 of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, where her half-brother, Joseph Jefia pastors a church, accusing him of illegally taking control of the family’s assets shortly after their father’s death in 2003.

    These assets include more than 100 housing units, a mansion in Effurun, multiple country homes, large tracts of land, cash in various banks, and a road contract valued at N1.2 billion.

    Read Also: Edun: allocation to states rises by 111%

    According to Mrs. James, Pastor Jefia and his siblings allegedly broke into their late father’s residence while the patriarch was on his deathbed, taking possession of all personal and business documents.

    Investigations by law enforcement and forensic experts revealed that the document was fraudulent and unregistered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), in violation of the Companies and Allied Matters Act.

    The police subsequently charged Pastor Jefia for presenting the forged document in defense of his actions during a dispute involving his half-sister, whom he allegedly harassed during a visit to the family property in Effurun.

    Court records show that the family had already shared the landed properties of the late Chief Jefia based on traditional arrangements and legal proceedings.

    Despite this, Pastor Joseph is accused of continuing to collect rent from properties not allocated to him and allegedly selling plots of land belonging to other heirs.

    The matter, which has spanned more than 22 years, has now reached a turning point with criminal charges brought against the pastor. The trial continues this month, with court dates scheduled for October 23.

    Mrs. James has called on the leadership of RCCG, where Pastor Jefia is said to have served in various regions including Kolokolo/Enerhen and PTI, to intervene and uphold the church’s moral standards.

    “Our father left enough for every one of his children to prosper. But Joseph’s greed, enabled by forged documents and disregard for family and tradition, has robbed us of justice for over two decades,” she said.

  • Multiple checkpoints on Lagos-Badagry Expressway tarnishing Nigeria’s image, says Customs chief

    Multiple checkpoints on Lagos-Badagry Expressway tarnishing Nigeria’s image, says Customs chief

    The Controller, Seme Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, yesterday said that multiple checkpoints along Lagos Badagry expressway are tarnishing Nigeria’s image.

    Adenuga said this at a Stakeholders Engagement with security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders, business partners, customs agents and youth in Seme.

    According to Adenuga, with support of the Comptroller General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi,  the service will not rest until the checkpoints are reduced to the barest minimum  on the corridor.

    “The time wasting along Lagos Badagry expressway is disturbing. You will see many vehicles queuing for checking by security operatives. It is embarrassing to see as much as 10 immigration checkpoints, 20 Police checkpoints 15 customs points doing same work along the expressway. Enough is enough, we should have the  fear of  God in our hearts. I will not rest until I achieve this,” he said.

    Read Also: President to oil workers: avoid strike that undermines economy

    Adenuga said the engagement was designed to create a frank platform for dialogue among key players in border operations, with the goal of enhancing trade facilitation and security.

    He emphasised the need for collective honesty and cooperation among stakeholders to address the challenges bedeviling the border axis.

    “We need  to tell ourselves the bitter truth. The more we facilitate legitimate trade, the better for our country. When trade thrives, crime reduces,” he said.

    Group Capt. M. Medugu, Nigeria Air Force Forward Operations Base at Ahanve, Badagry, speaking on behalf of military formations in the area,  assured the controller that the military would support customs  in fulfillment of the tasks.

    Meanwhile, Chief Tunde Giro, the Depegan of Badagry kingdom, representing Akran of Badagry, said youths in Badagry had been planning to protest on excesses of security agencies on the expressway.

    Giro said the operatives along the corridor are causing unnecessary delay and extorting citizens, urging  the controller to arrest the situation.

    Chief Joseph Agoro, a community leader in Apa, Badagry, decried the persistence of unwholesome practices along the Seme route and urged security agencies and border communities to unite in tackling the  issue.

    According to Agoro, actions of the  operatives are tarnishing Nigeria’s image and hindering regional commerce.

    The community leader said that majority of the fight and quarrels on the border corridor is caused by camp boys recruited by security agencies along the border route.

    Alhaji Yusuf Bashir, the Community Development Committee (CDC) Badagry-West Local Council Development Area,  urged customs to support the community with infrastructural projects.

    Speaking earlier, the Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic, Mr Olukayode  Aluko, represented by the Defense Attache, Col. S. Yahaya, assured that the takeaways from the meeting would be fully implemented.

  • Ex-NAF chief dies mid-air on British Airways

    Ex-NAF chief dies mid-air on British Airways

    A British Airways (BA) flight from London to Abuja was forced to make an emergency diversion to Barcelona, Spain, after Prof. Osita Obierika, died mid-air.

    Obierika, a retired Air Vice Marshal (AVM) of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), was a former Air Officer Commanding (AOC) Training Command, Kaduna and a directing staff at the National Defence College, Abuja.

    The Octogenarian was said to have been returning to Nigeria from the United Kingdom where he was being treated for cancer.

    According to reports, the aircraft departed London’s Heathrow Airport at 11pm on Sunday and was to arrive Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, by 5am on Monday.

    Read Also: Edun: allocation to states rises by 111%

    However, around 1:30am, the pilot declared a medical emergency and diverted to El Prat Airport in Barcelona, Spain.

    A source who confirmed his death said there were many senior officers at the Abuja airport awaiting his arrival before news of his death filtered in.

    It was gathered that the incident caused distress among passengers especially a pregnant woman said to have required urgent medical attention.

    British Airways apologised to passengers for the disruption, assuring them of support and alternative travel arrangements. The airline said a replacement aircraft was deployed to continue the journey to Abuja, with the flight rescheduled to depart Barcelona at 2:50pm local time and arrive in Abuja around 5:45pm.

    It was not immediately clear if Obierika’s remains were deposited in Barcelona or arrangements were made to return his body to Nigeria on the new flight.

    A native of Enugu-Ukwu in Anambra State, Obierika was a distinguished elder statesman who was fondly called Prof.

    He remained active after retirement, delivering lectures on national security at public events including a 2021 lecture at Baze University on “Security Sector Reform in Nigeria and the 4th Industrial Revolution”.

  • Navy hands over 840kg of seized cannabis to NDLEA

    Navy hands over 840kg of seized cannabis to NDLEA

    The Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT yesterday handed over 20 bags of suspected cannabis sativa weighing 840kg to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    Executive Officer of NNS BEECROFT, Capt. Idongesit Udoessien, said the move was part of efforts to curb illicit drug trafficking and enhance maritime security in Lagos State.

    Udoessien represented the Commander, NNS BEECROFT, Commodore Paul Nimmyel, at the handover ceremony held at the naval base in Apapa, Lagos.

    He said the Base Quick Response Team, supported by Operation MESA personnel, intercepted a van last Thursday around Ijegun, loaded with the suspected drugs.

    Read Also: President to oil workers: avoid strike that undermines economy

    “The suspects abandoned the vehicle and fled upon sighting our patrol team. The vehicle and the cannabis have been handed to the NDLEA for action,” Udoessien said.

    He said the seizure was part of ongoing efforts by the Nigerian Navy, under the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla, to tackle maritime crimes.

    Udoessien reaffirmed the Navy’s commitment to supporting internal security operations and collaborating with other agencies to safeguard the nation’s waterways and coastal communities.

    He added that NNS BEECROFT would intensify patrols and intelligence-driven missions to deny criminals access to Lagos waterways and adjoining creeks.

    “We commend the vigilance of our personnel and urge citizens to provide credible information to enhance security across Lagos State,” Udoessien said.

  • Quarry truck crushes three in Ibadan

    Quarry truck crushes three in Ibadan

    A trailer allegedly belonging to a quarry company, located at Olohunde Ige Village along the Ijebu-Ode Road, Idi-Ayunre area, Oluyole Local Government at the weekend lost control, crushing three people and leaving one dead on the spot.

    It was gathered that the life threatening injury suffered led to the death of one other victim after medical efforts proved abortive at the hospital.

    The limb of the third victim has also been amputated in a desperate move to save her life.

    The incident marks the second fatal crash involving the same company within three months, prompting outrage and grief in Oluyole council area with youths mounting barricade at the scene of the accident yesterday.

    Read Also: Edun: allocation to states rises by 111%

    The Chairman of the Oluyole Local Government, Akeem Olatunji was also at the scene to calm the angry youths, assuring that the government would leave no stone unturned to bring the driver to book while also ensuring that the affected company properly compensate families of the victims in order to reduce the pain and trauma they have been subjected to as a result of the incident.

    Addressing the youths, he said, most private companies in the council area have failed in the area of carrying out their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) especially by creating collaboration targeted at alleviating the suffering and socio-economic challenges of their host communities.

    The Nation reports that just a few months ago, a Kulum Quarry truck caused a similar accident that claimed the lives of three students of Prospect High School, Aba Nla.

    In the wake of that tragedy, the council chairman, had ordered the construction of speed breakers on the affected route to forestall future occurrences.

    However, Saturday’s crash shows that the warnings and precautions have done little to change or curb the recklessness of the company’s drivers.

    Olatunji expressed deep sorrow and described the deaths as both painful and avoidable.

    He condoled with the bereaved families and the Idi-Ayunre community.

    “This is another avoidable tragedy. My heart goes out to the families of the victims. No one should lose their loved ones in such a cruel manner, especially when it could have been prevented,” he said.