The Nation Newspaper

Category: City Beats

  • Four Delta environmental marshals arrested for extortion of residents

    Four Delta environmental marshals arrested for extortion of residents

    The authorities of the Delta State Environmental Taskforce have arrested four environmental marshals involved in illegal night extortion of residents of Oshimili South Local Government Area of the state.

    The suspects were apprehended on Friday along Summit Road in Asaba, the state capital.

    The task force team, led by Chief Agbari, recognised the marshals engaging in unauthorised activities and contacted Comrade Adim Dikedi, the Supervisory Officer on Environment for Oshimili South, for clarification regarding the marshals’ actions.

    Upon receiving the call, Supervisor Dikedi ordered the immediate detention of the four officers at a police station until he could address the matter personally.

     It was revealed that one of the apprehended marshals was impersonating the current Supervisor on Environment, prompting further concern about corruption within the ranks.

    Dikedi emphasised his agency’s commitment to eradicating corruption among environmental marshals.

    He expressed that any form of misconduct would not be tolerated and reaffirmed a directive issued in January, prohibiting marshals from operating beyond 4:00 pm.

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    He said the incident underscored the challenges of overseeing environmental enforcement and the need for accountability within such an agency.

    Dikedi said ensuring transparency and integrity among environmental officers is crucial for maintaining public trust, especially when allegations of extortion are involved.

    Supervisor Dikedi expressed commitment to a stricter policy, indicating a proactive approach to preventing similar incidents in the future, reinforcing operational guidelines for environmental personnel.

    He stressed that the incident had raised awareness about the importance of ethical conduct in governance and the effective management of environmental resources.

    Dikedi noted the popular Ogbegonogo Central Market in Asaba is the only market, he officially authorised environmental marshals to operate in the evenings to assist in the decongestion of the traffic jam always occurring there.

    He warned that henceforth any Oshimili South environmental marshal caught operating at odd hours should be arrested with immediate effect and taken to the nearest police station.

  • Adamawa police, NDLEA arrest 130 suspects, seize sundry items

    Adamawa police, NDLEA arrest 130 suspects, seize sundry items

    The Adamawa State commands of the Nigeria Police and the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have announced the arrest of a total of 130 suspects.

    While the state police command said Friday that it nabbed 72 suspects over the past three months, the NDLEA said it arrested 58 drug suspects last month, September 2025.

    The two federal security agencies said in separate news briefings that heightened surveillance and crime-tackling measures made the arrests possible.

    The state Commissioner of Police, CP Dankombo Morris, said while his command arrested 72 suspects in the last three months, it has charged 57 to court as investigations continue on 15 other cases.

    CP Morris listed the offences for which the arrests were made as kidnapping (nine cases), armed robberies (seven cases), culpable homicide (22), rape and sexual offences (18), theft (nine), Shilla Boys gangsterism (four), and abductions (three cases).

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    On his part, the Adamawa State Commander of the NDLEA, Aliyu Abubakar, disclosed that his command arrested 58 drug suspects comprising 56 men and two women; and seized 366.808 kg of cannabis sativa; 209.8 kg of psychotropic substances, and 11.6 kg of methamphetamine & others.

    He said his operatives also confiscated four different types of vehicles and a motorcycle used in the transportation of illicit substances.

    He added that in the Mijilu village of Mubi North LGA, his men destroyed six hectares of a cannabis farm and arrested five suspects associated with the farm.

    He elaborated that among those arrested were two siblings who were bringing 500 blocks of compressed cannabis sativa from Akure in Ondo State en route to Mubi in Adamawa State but were intercepted in Lamurde in southern Adamawa as they made their way towards Mubi.

    He said the arrested siblings are notorious for illicit trafficking in cannabis sativa, and that upon search of their house in Mubi, more cannabis sativa were found and seized.

    “A search into the premises of the dealers in Mubi led to the recovery of 40 other blocks of compressed cannabis sativa,” the NDLEA Commander of Narcotics disclosed.

  • Don’t let these crying children die, Nwaoma warns against growing poverty

    Don’t let these crying children die, Nwaoma warns against growing poverty

    Popular beauty queen and model, Nwaoma Ukachukwu, has expressed deep concerns over the alarming rise of poverty in Africa, particularly in Nigeria, stressing that children remain the most vulnerable victims.

    In a statement to the media on Friday, Nwaoma warned that if the trend continues unchecked, it could trigger an unprecedented uprising among children.

    “I see children crying across different states in the country. I see them carrying stones and knives in revolt. These children are hungry and angry. This is a word of caution to our government and those in leadership positions across Africa and Nigeria. Something must be done now,” she said.

    While acknowledging the looming danger, Nwaoma stressed that solutions are within reach if urgent steps are taken to ease the burden on vulnerable children.

    According to her, poverty in Africa and Nigeria has become a ticking time bomb, especially because it directly threatens the future of young people.

    “The future of Africa and Nigeria lies in the hands of our children. If, for any reason—whether through neglect or the weaponization of poverty for political gain—these children are abandoned on the streets, then Africa should brace itself for a shocking revolt that could shake the continent to its core.

    “I therefore caution that urgent action must be taken. Every child deserves not just to live, but to have access to the best life possible.”

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    Speaking further, she noted that her foundation has toured different parts of Africa and witnessed firsthand the painful realities of children trapped in poverty.

    “This is why we have now mobilised and empowered vulnerable children in Owerri, Imo State. Their school fees for the year have been cleared,” she added.

    Nwaoma emphasised that beyond the efforts of her foundation, government must play a decisive role by providing affordable schools, quality healthcare, decent housing, and an enabling environment for children to thrive.

    She concluded that only through such interventions can the growing divide between the children of the rich and the poor be bridged.

  • Lagos Baale, relatives file ₦50m suit against Egbetokun, CP Ezima

    Lagos Baale, relatives file ₦50m suit against Egbetokun, CP Ezima

    A Lagos community leader, Chief Busari Abatan Adeleye, with two members of his family, has instituted a N50 million fundamental rights enforcement suit against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, and the Commissioner of Police, Force Intelligence Department (FID), Lagos Annex, Akanniyene Ezima, over alleged harassment, intimidation, and unlawful arrest.

    Chief Adeleye, who is the Baale of Adeleye Opeki Community in Abesan, Ipaja, Lagos, filed the suit at the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja. The family members—Taiwo Adeleye and Akinola Akeem Adeleye—are co-applicants, while Egonte Chukwuma Onyema is joined as the third respondent.

    The applicants are asking the court to declare their arrest and detention between September 15 and 16, allegedly instigated by Onyema, as a gross violation of their fundamental rights to liberty, dignity, and property, as guaranteed under Sections 35, 36, and 44 of the 1999 Constitution.

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    They also urged the court to hold that their arrest over allegations of trespass, wrongful execution of judgment, and malicious damage was unconstitutional, and that police actions, allegedly carried out at the behest of Onyema, amounted to abuse of power and unlawful interference with their rights.

    In addition to restraining orders to stop further arrests or harassment, the applicants are seeking N50 million in general damages and N5 million in aggravated damages against the respondents for breaching their rights.

    In a 31-paragraph affidavit deposed to by Taiwo Adeleye, the applicants stated that their family are the customary owners of the Opeki Village land in Abesan, Lagos. He averred that their claim was reaffirmed by a judgment of the Lagos State High Court delivered on July 7, 2022, by Justice O.A. Taiwo in suit No: ID/1495/2010, Alhaji Sule Ajibade & Ors v. Hajia Rauf Ajala & Ors.

    Taiwo further averred that despite being privy to the judgment, Onyema has repeatedly instigated the police to interfere unlawfully with their rights and to forcefully re-enter the disputed land.

    The affidavit revealed that the land dispute had been the subject of civil litigation involving the applicants and one Andrew Egonte (the third respondent’s father). Court processes, including the writ of summons and hearing notices, were duly served on Egonte as far back as May 2011, but his counsel failed to file any defence, leading to judgment in favour of the applicants.

    So far, the respondents—IGP, Ezima, and Onyema—have not filed any defence, and no hearing date has yet been fixed by the court.

  • Police corporal, 200-level student arrested for allegedly leading cultists in Rivers

    Police corporal, 200-level student arrested for allegedly leading cultists in Rivers

    A police corporal attached to the Elimgbu Division, Onukwue Godswill, and a 200-level student of Biomedical Technology, University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Ifeanyi Israel, have been arrested by the police for allegedly leading cult-related activities in the state.

    A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Grace Iringe-Koko, said the suspects were apprehended during the activities marking the signing out of final-year students at UNIPORT.

    Iringe-Koko said the internal security team at the school confronted the police corporal and the student after discovering that they were on campus to lead a potential clash with rival cultists

    “In a swift response, Operatives of the Command attached to the Anti-Cultism Unit (ACU) were dispatched to the scene and the suspects were arrested,” she said.

    She added that a thorough search of the suspects led to the recovery of two locally made pistols, four rounds of live cartridges, two rounds of 9mm live ammunition and one small axe.

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    She disclosed that a subsequent search of the house of the suspected cult leader, Cpl Onwukwe by the operatives also led to the recovery of one locally made pistol and two machetes.

    Iringe-Koko said: “The suspects and exhibits are currently in police custody. An in-depth investigation has been launched to determine the full extent of the suspect’s involvement in cultism and other related activities.

    “The police command is working diligently to unravel any potential networks or accomplices and bring all perpetrators to face the full weight of the law.

    “The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, reaffirms the Command’s unrelenting commitment to maintaining peace and security in the State, stating that there will be no hiding place for criminals in the State.

    “He urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest Police Station or other Security agencies, emphasizing that collaborative efforts will help build a safer and more secure state for all”.

  • Sanwo-Olu’s wife, Ohuabunwa, others seek more women participation in governance

    Sanwo-Olu’s wife, Ohuabunwa, others seek more women participation in governance

    Women have been urged to increase their participation in governance and other sectors of the economy.

    Speakers, who included the Minister of Youth Development, Comrade Ayodele Olawande; wife of the Lagos State governor, Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu; Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello and board guru, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, made the call at the seventh Women in Governance Conference organised by the Association of Corporate Governance Professionals of Nigeria (ACGPN).

    The event themed ‘’Women in Leadership: Navigating challenges and seizing opportunities’’ was held in Ikoyi, Lagos.

    Olawande, who was represented, said though women empowerment is vital to national development, gender equality remained a societal issue. The minister who advised women to go out and shine, however, urged men to support women to achieve their goals.

    Dr. Sanwo-Olu called for full representation of women in the future. With more empowerment, doors would open for them, said the governor’s wife, who was represented by the wife of the Commissioner for Transportation/member, Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO), Mrs Oyinkan Oshiyemi.

    Olatunji-Bello, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration), Prof Adenike Omotunde Moyo, charged women to be courageous and go for their goals and that nothing should deter them. She said when they meet barriers and glass walls, they should be hopeful as they were meant to be scaled or broken and that nothing could hold a willing mind back. Citing herself, the VC said it had not been a bed of roses as many might have erroneously thought, but that she, too, had mountains to surmount to get to her exalted position with good results. Hard work, she noted, as the mother of success.

    She noted that with good leadership by women, mountains could be moved. “We are the leaders the world needs,’’ she added.

    Ohuabunwa, who is the association’s President/Chairman-in-Council, said gone were the days when the number of women in the boards or heads of universities could be counted on the finger tips, adding that  women were on the rise in government, banks, among others.

    He said he had encountered over 20 institutions of high learning led by women and, also, female heads of service and permanent secretaries in civil service. ‘’The teaching and nursing professions are not dominated by female folks, and even professions that were seen as largely masculine are today led by women and that the president of the National Centre for Human Rights is a woman. ‘’Thus, it is clear that our women have made tremendous progress, though we still have a long way to go,’’ Ohuabunwa said

    Despite the challenges, Ohuabunwa said, women should not be deterred from climbing higher.

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    He however decried the situation where some women were found guilty of malfeasance, saying such should be discouraged by them. Rather, he added, women should be role models in society.

    He challenged women on accountability, fairness, and transparency in public and private. He congratulated the new fellows of the association.

    A lawyer, Mrs Funmi Roberts, sought mentoring for younger women, especially lawyers. She counselled the young generation on patience, good conduct and training, saying the future belongs to those with the right skills. Mrs Funmi noted that the road to the top is rough and tough but that with patience, the young ones would achieve success. She pleaded with the old generation to put in place for grooming, adding that after all, they are the future leaders who should be trained to get it right.

    Earlier, while welcoming participants to the ceremony, the WIG Conference Committee Chairman, Mrs Olufade Olufunke, said it was their objective to continue to create pathways where women could thrive and leave marks in leadership.

    Highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to the speakers, among others.

    Also at the event were the association’s National Treasurer, Princess Elemanya Ebila; National Administrator, Dr. Femi Mosaku-Johnson; ACGPN council member, Mr Filius Osunbor; General Manager, Lagos State Office For Disability Affairs, Mrs Adenike Oyetunde-Lawal;Zonal Director, NTA Network Centre, Lagos, Dr. Evelyn Nwosu; among others.

  • Kano Customs hands over 490,000 capsules, tablets of seized illicit drugs to NDLEA

    Kano Customs hands over 490,000 capsules, tablets of seized illicit drugs to NDLEA

    The Kano/Jigawa Command of the Nigerian Customs Service yesterday handed over a suspect and total of 261,750 capsules of Pregabalin (300 milligrams) and 228,700 tablets of Tramadol hydrochloride (225 milligrams) to the Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

    The illicit drugs, concealed in five jumbo agro sacks, were seized by Customs around the border.

    Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Dalhatu Abubakar, said the drugs were hidden in 35 packets of Pregabalin and 28 rolls of Tramadol tablets.

    Speaking while handing over the seized illicit drugs to NDLEA representative, the Kano/Jigawa Controller, Comptroller Dalhatu Abubakar, said the substances pose serious health risks to the body, including organ damage, addiction, and restlessness, particularly among the youth.

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    Abubakar warned about the wider social implications of drug abuse, linking it to violence, crime, immorality, economic loss, and insecurity in the region.

    He said a suspect was arrested with N455,500 intended as a bribe, alongside a black-tinted green Nissan Pathfinder, marked DUT196AE

    A cutting knife was also among the exhibits recovered from the suspect.

    “The seizure was in line with sections 55C and 234 of the Nigerian Customs Service Act 2023, which mandated the protection of public health and prohibits the possession of smuggled goods,” Abubakar said.

    Commander of Narcotics Mohammad Maiaduwa Usman, received the suspect and exhibits on behalf of NDLEA.

    He said NDLEA will conduct further investigations for the prosecution of the suspect.

    He reiterated the agency’s commitment to continued synergy with other security agencies in the fight against drug abuse.

  • Lassa fever deaths hit 166, says NCDC

    Lassa fever deaths hit 166, says NCDC

    • Fatality rate rises above last year’s

    The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) says 166 people died from Lassa fever between January and last month, with the case fatality rate now higher than last year’s.

    This is contained in Epidemiological Week 37, covering Sept. 8 to 14, cited on the NCDC website yesterday.

    The Public Health agency said 895 confirmed cases were recorded across 21 states and 106 local government areas.

    It said this represents a case fatality rate (CFR) of 18.5 per cent, compared to 16.9 per cent reported within the same period in 2024.

    The agency noted that while suspected and confirmed cases were fewer than those reported last year, more patients are dying because of late presentation and poor health-seeking behaviour, often linked to the high cost of treatment.

    According to NCDC, Ondo, Bauchi, Edo, Taraba and Ebonyi states continue to account for 90 per cent of confirmed cases, with Ondo alone responsible for a third of infections.

    The NCDC also confirmed that no new healthcare worker was infected during the reporting week.

    However, it warned that poor environmental sanitation, weak awareness in high-burden communities and delayed treatment continue to fuel the spread and severity of the disease.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Lassa fever is an acute viral haemorrhagic illness caused by the Lassa virus.

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    It is transmitted to humans through contact with food or household items contaminated by infected rodents, particularly the multi-mammate rat.

    Human-to-human transmission can also occur, especially in healthcare settings without adequate infection control.

    Symptoms include fever, headache, sore throat, chest pain, vomiting, diarrhoea and in severe cases, unexplained bleeding.

    The disease is endemic in parts of West Africa, with Nigeria bearing the highest burden.

    To strengthen control, the NCDC said it had deployed 10 rapid response teams to affected states, launched new infection prevention and control (IPC) training modules and supported clinical management fellowship programmes in collaboration with local and international partners.

    The agency urged states to intensify community engagement and preventive campaigns and reminded healthcare workers to maintain high suspicion and initiate early treatment when symptoms appear.

  • Court remands transport union leader for alleged assault, murder of tricycle driver

    Court remands transport union leader for alleged assault, murder of tricycle driver

    An Ebute Metta Magistrates’ Court has remanded a leader of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Shamusideen Oladiti, for  alleged  assault and murder of a tricycle driver.

    The Lagos State Police Command arraigned Oladiti, 55, for alleged  assault and murder of the driver, Omale Samuel,  before  Mrs  A. O. AKinde of Ebute Metta Chief Magistrates’ Court,  who ordered his remand in the custody of Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS).

    The defendant was arraigned on a three-count charge offence in charge number BG/B53/25 bordering on assault and murder contrary to sections 223, 411 and 245 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    Police prosecutor, Anthony Iyeye said the offences were related to two crimes on Lagos Island involving a case of murder and another of assault occasioning harm.

    The  charges stated: “That you Shamusideen Oladiti  on August 27, 2025 on Lewis Street, Lagas Island, did unlawfully beat Imam Ramon  with fist blows all over his body, which caused him harm and was rushed to Lagos Island General Hospital, Marina Lagos where he later died and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 223 of the Criminal Law of Lagos Stale, 2015.

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    “That you Shamusideen Oladitl ‘m’ and others at large, on September 17, 2025 at Lagos Island Lagos in the Lagos State Magisterial District, did conspired amongst yourselves to commit felony to wit grievous harm and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 411 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    “That you Shamusideen Oladiti and others at large, on the same date, time and place, did unlawfully beat Omale Samuel  with fist blows which caused him grievous harm all over his body and thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 245 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The court did not take the plea of the defendant after the charges were read.

    Chief Magistrate Akinde ordered the case file to be duplicated and forwarded to the Director, Department of Public Prosecution (DPP) for legal advice.

    She ordered the remand of Oladiti in the custody of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS) pending legal advice.

    The case was adjourned to October 28.

  • Student shot dead in Benue community

    Student shot dead in Benue community

    A female student of ATM Science and Technical College Jato Aka, Miss Gloria Songo, has been shot dead by soldiers of Operation Whirl Stroke, deployed to fight banditry in Kwande Local Government in Benue State.

    The late Gloria was one among the three students that were shot by the soldiers on Tuesday and died yesterday in a hospital.

    Students of the college, each bearing a poster, marched round Jato Aka town, singing in remembrance of the late Miss Songo, who they described as disciplined and hardworking.

    The students wept uncontrollably on major streets of Jato Aka amid tension. They called for the soldiers to be withdrawn from their community.

    The death of Miss Gloria raised the number of soldiers killed to three in Jato Aka, and Turan within four days.

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    Recall that soldiers from Operation Whirl Stroke opened fire on mourners, who were returning from a burial, killing two students on the spot, while others sustained serious injuries and were rushed to the hospital.

    Police Public Relationship Officer, Edet Edeme, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said hoodlums opened fire on soldiers on patrol and the soldiers returned fire.

    There are protests in Jato Aka and other adjoining settlements against the action of the soldiers

    Elders of Jato Aka, who spoke to The Nation, wondered why soldiers who were deployed to protect the harmless community members, turned around to kill them.