In a statement, NESREA Assistant Director Press, Amaka Ejiorfor, said: “Under the protocol, the facilities committed to manage ULAB slag and base metal residue should be in a safe, environmentally sound and socially responsible manner, and also prioritise staff health and safety including an annual blood lead testing and provision of Personal Protective Equipment.
“The recyclers, as duty to the host community and environmental responsibility, are to conduct annual environmental impact audits on surrounding communities, transition to cleaner recycling technologies and participate in pilot projects on slag reuse for bricks and cement raw materials”.
She noted that NESREA, in partnership with the state government and others under the Project for Responsible Battery and Metal Recycling (PROBAMET), had carried out extensive assessment and sensitisation of the operators in the sector on international best practices in the recycling sector.
The agency also shut Cornerstone quarry, managed by Istanbul Quarry in Dutse, Abuja, as blast from flying rocks hit operations staff members and children and damaged school properties. Investigations by NESREA showed that the pupils were in their various classes writing exams when they heard a bang about 12.30 pm, the blast was followed by flying rocks which destroyed the school buildings, with 11 pupils and two staff members of the school sustaining injuries.
A Deputy Director with NESREA, Glory Uboh, said the agency shut the facility as their operations were contrary to the National Environmental (Quarrying and Blasting Operations) Regulations 2013. “What happened is life threatening, that was why we had to move in to seal the facility. Cornerstone, managed by Istanbul Quarry, which carried out the blasting will be sanctioned because our preliminary investigation shows contradiction to quarry operating procedure and regulations,’’ she said.
With a strong push against gender-based violence and a call for victims and relatives to speak up, female officers of the Lagos Police Command at the weekend staged a walk around Ikeja.
The walk against gender-based violence, which was attended by the state Commissioner of Police Olohundare Jimoh, and Executive Secretary, Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Titilola Adeniyi Rhodes-Vivour, was organised as part of activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of women policing in Nigeria.
With over 400 female officers of the command, including the most senior woman officer, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Administration, Mary Ayim in attendance, the about 6km walk started from the command headquarters in Ikeja and proceeded to Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way before detouring before Joel Ogunaike Street.
Addressing the gathering, CP Jimoh noted that gender-based violence was pervasive, reaffirming the command’s commitment to thorough investigation and prosecution of cases.
He emphasised that such crimes cannot be treated as family matters or with kid gloves, urging victims and witnesses to speak out so that justice could be served.
Jimoh praised female officers for their contributions to crime prevention and leadership, noting the rising number of women heading strategic units in the command.
According to him, the female officers have shown capacity and competence, adding that most times, they gave him results even before their male counterparts.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has told a Lagos High Court in Ikeja that it has no evidence to support the allegation that Jude and Paul Okoye of P-Square fraudulently withdrew $800,000, contrary to claims made by their brother, Peter Okoye.
Peter had in 2024 petitioned the EFCC accusing Jude of diverting the P-Square group funds, operating 47 undeclared bank accounts and manipulating the share structure of Northside Entertainment Ltd, a company jointly owned by them
The EFCC subsequently filed charges against Jude over alleged financial misconduct in the management of the P-Square brand.
During resumed cross-examination, EFCC counsel, M.K. Bashir, told Justice Rahman Oshodi that the commission could not present evidence for the alleged withdrawal.
Asked by the judge to substantiate Peter’s claim, Bashir said: “We do not have it. It is his evidence. Let him prove it. I can’t give what I don’t have.”
Peter had testified on May 23, this year, that he obtained new evidence showing how Jude and Paul allegedly withdrew and shared more than $800,000 between March 2023 and October, last year.
But when defence counsel, Clement Onwuenwunor (SAN), confronted him with inconsistencies, he shifted his position, stating that the alleged withdrawal actually occurred between 2013 and 2014.
The defence further challenged Peter’s assertion that Jude operated 47 bank accounts.
Peter insisted the EFCC held the evidence, but Bashir denied the claim, saying: “I do not have 47 bank accounts. It is one of the witness’s claims, but I do not have such a copy.”
Onwuenwunor asked the court to order Peter and the EFCC to produce the alleged 47 accounts.
Justice Oshodi, however, rejected the request and ruled that the defence must apply formally since the documents were neither before the court nor part of the admitted evidence.
The defence also confronted Peter over his claim that Jude owned 80 per cent of Northside Entertainment.
Although Peter maintained he had proof, the defence tendered CAC records contradicting his assertion.
Peter was further questioned on his claim that he was unaware of the existence of Northside Music and that Jude signed artist Cynthia Morgan without his knowledge.
He said he only discovered the company in 2024 when Cynthia Morgan sent him her contract on Northside Entertainment letterhead, adding that while the contract was signed with Northside Music, her albums were credited to Northside Inc.
Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter to December 12, this year, for continuation of trial.
Director, Media and Advocacy. NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, who broke the news in a statement, said two masterminds were arrested and taken into custody after a raid on their hideout in Lekki, Lagos.
Babafemi said the syndicate run by the duo of Deji Adesanya and Olubiyi Majekodunmi had imported consignments of Canadian Loud, a strong strain of cannabis and a various designer sachets with pictures and labels of cookies and snacks printed on them, which they used to package the psychoactive substance in retail quantities.
According to the statement, a syndicate which operates and distributes through a WhatsApp platform, were on November 22, this year, raided by the agency’s operatives at their apartment at Ojulari Street, Ikate, Lekki where a large quantity of the sachets and five kilograms of Loud were recovered.
Also, last Thursday, a drug kingpin Philip Ucheka, 38. was arrested while receiving 110 pouches of Canadian Loud weighing 55.6kg at Ladipo, Mushin and three delivery vans seized from him.
“At a courier company in Lagos, 100grams of Loud concealed in teddy bear imported from Thailand were intercepted on Thursday 27th November while a consignment of 548 capsules of tramadol hidden in bottles of Vitamin C and Magnesium going to the United Kingdom were recovered at another logistics firm the following day, Friday, November 28
“In Oyo State, NDLEA officers on patrol on Lagos -Ibadan Expressway on November 29, nabbed a suspect Wasiu Kareem, 55, with 8,000 ampoules of pentazocine injection; 590 bottles of codeine syrup; 1,500 pills of Co-codamol and 9,900 capsules of tramadol.
“No fewer than seven suspects were arrested on Monday, November 24, when NDLEA operatives raided the Ipe forest in Akoko Southeast of Ondo State and recovered 3,077 kilograms of skunk, a strain of cannabis.”
The Agbelebu Foundation on Sunday unveiled its Family Adoption Project, describing it as a long-awaited commitment to uplift vulnerable households through deliberate, consistent and compassionate support.
Speaking at the launch, Founder Hon. Oluwagbenga Abiola, the immediate past Vice Chairman of Agege Local Government in Lagos, said the initiative was the fulfilment of a burden he had carried for years.
“When the idea of this foundation came eight years ago, it didn’t arrive as an organisation. It came as a burden — a burden for unseen struggles and quiet tears,” he said.
Abiola, a former Sole Administrator and Secretary to the Local Government, said welfare should never be treated as a mere agenda item but as “a calling that demands responsibility, empathy and commitment.”
He explained that the Family Adoption Project was created to walk side-by-side with struggling households through sustained empowerment and long-term care.
“Today, we unveil a project that commits to families not for a moment, not for a season, but with intentional love,” he said.
The foundation aims to adopt 1,000 families, beginning with 500 households in the first phase.
“Every great journey begins with a first step. For us, the first step is embracing 500 families into our circle of care,” Abiola stated.
He stressed that the initiative was neither charity nor a publicity drive but a genuine expression of shared humanity.
“This is family meeting family. When we adopt a family, we are saying: we see you, we hear you, we are here for you,” he added.
The project will support families in health, education, empowerment and financial stability. Abiola said the foundation plans to partner with institutions, service providers and influential personalities to deliver youth training, health checks, insurance, food banking and scholarship assistance.
“Our goal is not just to support families, but to equip them and position them to rise,” he noted.
The initiative will run for at least one year, during which adopted households will receive continuous support.
“Their challenges become our challenges, and their victories become our victories,” Abiola said. “Progress should never be accidental; it must be intentional.”
He added that the foundation exists to serve the vulnerable, including children, widows, youths, the elderly, people living with disabilities and struggling parents, likening each adopted household to a seed that requires nurturing, attention and resources to flourish.
“Impact is not in noise but in consistency Leadership is not in titles but in service,” he said.
Abiola expressed appreciation to volunteers, partners and donors, describing them as “the heartbeat and wind behind the vision.”
He assured the newly adopted families that they were not statistics but part of an ever-growing community bound by dignity and compassion, adding, “Once we call you family, we don’t let go.”
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of Agege Local Government, Hon. AbdulGaniyu Obasa, who applauded Abiola’s vision and passion toward the less privileged, said that the welfare of the people should be the priority of every government.
Obasa commended the founder and former council boss for joining hands with the government, describing it as great initiatives.
A traditional ruler, Ologba of Ogbaland, Oba Oladimeji Egbeyemi, who praised Abiola, said, ”Your continuous efforts in bringing succor to the people of his community, Agege and Lagos at large are commendable”.
It was reported that no fewer than 500 families were given 500 food boxes, while health insurance was provided for 100 people living with disability in partnership with Ilera Eko.
Also, health tests and on the spot treatment was carried out for over 200 elderly and people living with disability at the event.
The beneficiaries, who include,
Mrs Sekinat Abolaji, the Chairman of the Association of People Living With Disability, Agege, commended the former council boss for the project.
Also, the Federal Government and the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) commended the PRNigeria Young Communications Fellowship for equipping graduates with cutting-edge skills in journalism, public relations, and artificial intelligence.
The endorsements and commendations were announced over the weekend during the fellowship’s closing ceremony at the PRNigeria Centre in Abuja.
Speaking, Yushau Shuaib, CEO of Image Merchants Promotion Limited (IMPR), revealed that the IPRA, in a correspondence by its Secretary General, Philip Sheppard, had granted the NSAwards Conference Status. This designation provides global recognition for the annual event, which celebrates organisations and individuals who demonstrate excellence in public communication through creativity and innovation.
Both the NSAwards and the PRNigeria Fellowship are organised annually by IMPR, publisher of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential. The firm has established itself as a leading strategic communication agency, ranking as the Most Creative PR Agency Worldwide in 2020 and winning multiple SABRE Africa and IPRA Golden World Awards.
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, represented by the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Ali M. Ali, praised IMPR’s commitment to strategic communication and developing the next generation of communication professionals through the fellowship programme.
“We are not surprised that IMPR is one of the most outstanding strategic communication outfits that adhere to the ethics of the profession through its platforms, initiatives, including the annual fellowship for young Nigerians.
“In fact, this capacity-building initiative offers not only an opportunity to mentor, train, and empower young graduates, but also provides a rich reservoir of future talents who will nourish our industry,” Ali said.
The Minister’s representative cautioned fellows to remain discerning in an environment “rife with fake news,” particularly given the prevalence of AI-generated content.
NUJ President Comrade Alhassan Adamu Yahya pledged the Union’s support for IMPR’s initiatives, including the fellowship and the National Spokespersons Awards. He urged fellows to prioritise national security and ethical standards in their work.
Ja’afar Ja’afar, CEO of Daily Nigerian, warned the young graduates about the emerging threat of deepfakes and AI manipulation. He emphasised that professional contacts “make the journalist and journalism,” and advised investigative journalists to use the Freedom of Information Act responsibly, focusing on accountability rather than humiliation.
The fellowship is hosted annually at PRNigeria Centres in Abuja, Kano, and Ilorin. At the Abuja ceremony, Humaid Rabiu Shehu and Oyeyemi Abolade were recognised as Team Leader and Best Fellow, respectively, of the 2025 Abuja cohort.
The IMPR is also the host of annual Security and Emergency Management Awards (SAEMA), Arewa Stars Awards (ASA), Spokespersons Communication Awards (SCA) and the Economic Confidential Lecture.
Troops of Operation MESA under the 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, have rescued seven kidnap victims during a late-night operation in Tsanyawa Local Government Area of Kano State.
However, four of the kidnap victims remain unaccounted for.
Although, efforts have continued to locate them, the army said.
Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Captain Babatunde Zubairu, in a statement, said the incident occurred on 29 November 2025 at about 11:00 p.m. after troops received a distress call from Yankamaye Cikin Gari village over bandits’ activities.
“The troops, operating alongside personnel of the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigeria Police, swiftly moved to the scene, made contact with the bandits, and rescued seven abductees.
“However, a 60-year-old woman was reportedly killed by the bandits before the arrival of security forces.
“Following the initial engagement, troops pursued the fleeing bandits along their withdrawal route toward Rimaye, engaging them with heavy gunfire, which enabled the successful rescue operation,” he said.
The bandits were said to have escaped toward Kankia Local Government Area in Katsina State, with security forces intensifying efforts to track their movement.
The Commander of 3 Brigade commended the troops for their bravery and quick response, urging the public to continue supporting ongoing operations with timely and credible information.
According to a statement signed by NESREA Assistant Director of Press, Amaka Ejiorfor, the affected operators refused to adhere to the agency’s protocol designed to ensure the environmentally sound management of used lead-acid batteries, protect public health, and safeguard the environment.
The statement noted that under the protocol, facilities handling ULAB slag and base metal residue must manage them in a safe and socially responsible manner, prioritise staff health and safety—including annual blood lead testing and provision of personal protective equipment.
They are also required to conduct yearly environmental impact audits on neighbouring communities, transition to cleaner recycling technologies, and participate in pilot projects on slag reuse for bricks and cement raw materials.
Ejiorfor added that NESREA, working with the Ogun State Government and partners under the Project for Responsible Battery and Metal Recycling (PROBAMET), had conducted extensive assessments and sensitisation for operators across the sector to promote international best practices.
In a separate enforcement action, NESREA also shut down Cornerstone Quarry, managed by Istanbul Quarry, in the Dutse area of Abuja after blasting activities caused flying rocks that injured staff and schoolchildren and damaged school buildings.
It was gathered that students were sitting for examinations when a loud explosion occurred around 12:30 pm, followed by rock fragments that destroyed parts of the school, leaving 11 students and two staff members injured.
Glory Uboh, a deputy director at NESREA, said the closure was necessary because the quarry’s operations violated the National Environmental (Quarrying and Blasting Operations) Regulations 2013.
“What happened is life-threatening; that was why we had to move in immediately to seal the facility. Cornerstone, managed by Istanbul Quarry, will be sanctioned because our preliminary investigation shows clear violations of quarry operating procedures and regulations,” she stated.
…officers take mental health, career advocacy to classrooms
…CP hails resilience, diligence of female personnel
With a strong push against gender-based violence and a call for victims and relatives to speak up, female officers of the Lagos Police Command at the weekend staged a walk around Ikeja.
The walk against gender-based violence which was attended by the Lagos State Commissioner of Police (CP) Olohundare Jimoh, and the Executive Secretary, Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVA), Titilola Adeniyi Rhodes-Vivour, was organised as part of activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of women policing in Nigeria.
With over 400 female officers of the command including the most senior woman officer, ACP Mary Ayim in attendance, the about 6km walk commenced from the command headquarters in Ikeja and proceeded to Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way before detouring before Joel Ogunaike Street.
Addressing the gathering, CP Jimoh noted that gender-based violence was pervasive, reaffirming the command’s commitment to thorough investigation and prosecution of cases.
He emphasised that such crimes cannot be treated as family matters or with kid gloves, urging victims and witnesses to speak out so that justice could be served.
CP Jimoh praised female officers for their contributions to crime prevention and leadership, noting the rising number of women heading strategic units in the command.
According to him, the female officers have shown capacity and competence, adding that most times, they gave him results even before their male counterparts.
He also honoured policewomen who died in active service, including the late CSP Matilda Ngbaronye of FESTAC Division, under whose watch violent crimes reduced to the barest minimum in the area.
He said, “I want to let you know that the Legal State Police Command, under my leadership, is with you, and we are with what you stand for. This walk today is against gender-based violence, which we know is a key thing for all of us in the police and the other critical stakeholders. We have to keep collaborating to prevent this menace in society. We’ll do this to the best of capacity to ensure that gender-based violence is extinct from the country.
“But how we can do this is to continue to encourage victims to speak out, to know that there is justice, and that matters of gender-based violence are not husband and wife matters.
“It’s a criminal issue and it should be investigated and charged to the court. I want to assure you of our support once again to appreciate the job you are doing as police women of the command
“In fact, some of them that are here with me who are Area Commanders do better than some of their male counterparts. Even at the level of DPOs, those women who are DPOs in charge of their jurisdiction are doing far better than some of the men.
So, most of the time when they ask me how many women area commanders I have, out of the 14, I tell them it’s five. But I want it increased so that more areas can be covered by women…”
Felicitating with the female officers, Rhodes-Vivour said the command and the DSVA have a great working relationship, alluding to the dedication of officers particularly those of the gender section.
She reminded officers that abuse can affect anyone, including women in uniform, assuring continued partnership to strengthen accountability and support for survivors.
Rhodes-Vivour specifically praised CP Jimoh for showing leadership, noting that each time gender-based violence issues or complaints arose and there is need for his intervention, he doesn’t hesitate to do so.
On her advice to Nigerians on the police, she said: “I believe the police is doing a lot in terms of correcting the negative impression they’ve had over the years. And we have to continue to support them. Call them out if there are issues, but also appreciate that they have various challenges that they experience as an institution.
“Lagos State Government continues to remain committed to the police and ensuring that they are able to discharge their constitutional duties lawfully.”
Assistant Commissioner Administration, ACP Ayim, who earlier led senior police officers on a-day mental health, safety and career talk at the Onike Junior Girls Secondary School, Yaba, urged the young girls to stay away from crimes and other vices that could obstruct their growth.
She said she was proud to be a police officer, encouraging them to join the service and commit to honourable living.
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“I feel so proud to be a policewoman. The journey started 70 years ago, when the first policewoman was recruited and today we are reaping the sacrifices they made. So we are very happy, we are proud.
“We’ve been doing our bit, and we are asking for more opportunities to serve our country. I would advise younger female officers and aspiring officers that nothing will be given to them on a platter of gold.
“They have to work hard, and it takes sacrifice and dedication. For us that have traversed this path for 25 years, it’s not been easy.
But if you show to the system that you can do it, they’ll give you a space. I believe that women should not complain, especially the ones who feel like we have family and other responsibilities to take care of and so always shy away from duty.
“I would tell them that we have done that several times. I’ve been a DPO in Lagos, while having children. The only thing is just to outsource. Get people to help you, and then be dedicated to your job,” she said.
Anyim urged Nigerians to be patient with the police as the service continues to transition.
“This rot did not happen in one day. They should be patient with us. We are rebranding, and the women are taking the lead. If you go to any place, even in Lagos, where you see women at the helm of affairs, it’s a different ballgame. So we are giving policing a human face, but they should be patient with us,” she said.
The Officer in Charge of Medical, ACP Abosede Salami, taught the pupils how to care for their mental health, advising them on how to deal with peer pressure, bullying and other stressors that could affect them.
Area G Commander, ACP Veronica Ameh, tutored the pupils on the various career paths in the police encouraging them to consider policing as a noble and impactful profession, while ACP Toyin Kazeem, head of the command’s gender section, lectured the young girls on self-boundaries with their private parts.
Female officers also visited pioneering police leaders like DIGs Florence Adebanjo (rtd) and Cecilia Ugowe (rtd), whose careers paved the way for future generations.
Stakeholders have urged the federal government to institutionalise an inclusive, human rights-centred approach to youth and public health policy, calling for stronger protection and support systems for young Nigerians living with disabilities, drug dependence and other vulnerabilities.
This call followed the ‘We Are People Conference 2025’, held in Abuja, where YouthRISE Nigeria, the organizers of the event, announced that the outcomes would be formally submitted to government institutions, with a commitment to follow up to ensure implementation.
Speaking after the conference, the Executive Director of YouthRISE Nigeria, Oluwafisayo Alao-Amiola, said the plan is to deliver the resolutions to key national institutions, including the President, the Vice President, the Senate President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Ministry of Justice.
“We will be submitting every recommendation to relevant stakeholders, from the Presidency to the Ministries.
“For instance, harm reduction has been of great benefit to young people who use drugs. We need sustainable financing for these health programmes,” she stressed.
Alao-Amiola said the move had become necessary because the diversity of participants from government, the private sector, civil society and affected communities demonstrated the urgency of getting the report into the hands of policymakers.
She noted that the programme placed strong emphasis on securing sustainable funding for harm-reduction services, describing them as vital to safeguarding the health and dignity of young people who use drugs.
She explained that the initiative was not restricted to persons with disabilities, but focused on all vulnerable youth groups that are frequently left out of national planning and public health interventions.
According to her, the conference created a platform for open engagement among civil society, policymakers, health professionals and community leaders.
Alao-Amiola confirmed that the meeting produced several recommendations that would be compiled and submitted to the relevant authorities.
She stressed that the next stage would demand political will and strong institutional cooperation, “Recommendations have come out of the sessions and the expectation is that they will be forwarded to the appropriate authorities to take action,” she said.
She added that stakeholder alignment was identified as a key requirement for progress, adding, “Every stakeholder is expected to align so we can achieve a common goal,” while emphasising that genuine inclusivity requires a multisectoral approach.
“This is not something to be handled by one group or one sector. If you are talking about inclusivity, you are talking about a multi-sectoral approach.
“This is the reason why every stakeholder will receive the recommendations because the conference was convened to address long overlooked issues affecting some of Nigeria’s most marginalised young people.”
One of the keynote speakers, Senate Deputy Minority Whip, Rufai Hanga, also underscored the need for policymakers to commit to action, warning that Nigeria can no longer rely on punitive, outdated drug-control methods while millions of young people remain exposed to harm.
He said the country must adopt a new national response centred on prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, noting that Nigeria is facing a drug abuse epidemic that requires immediate, coordinated intervention.
According to the senator, who was represented by Ojany Ndoma, over 14.3 million Nigerians aged 15 to 64, representing about 14.4 percent of the population, are involved in substance abuse, a figure more than double the global average.
He said drug use is widespread across several demographics, especially among young people, students and commercial drivers, adding that although substance abuse remains higher among men, the non-medical use of prescription opioids and codeine-based syrups is now nearly equal between males and females.
Hanga said reversing the trend requires a long-term, multisectoral strategy involving government agencies, communities, families, civil society groups, healthcare providers and traditional and religious institutions.
He called for increased funding for the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), as well as a review of drug laws to prioritise treatment rather than prosecution for minor possession.
He also pushed for the establishment of a National Institute for Drug Awareness and Rehabilitation to coordinate nationwide prevention and treatment efforts.
Gbenga Owonubi, Assistant Director of Rehabilitation and Recovery at NDLEA, reaffirmed the Agency’s commitment to treating drug users as victims in need of help rather than criminals, even as the current NDLEA Act still classifies drug use as a criminal offense.
He emphasised that although Section 11 of the existing Act prescribes punishments for drug use, possession, and trafficking, the agency’s present leadership is shifting toward a public health-centred response.
He noted that the NDLEA is actively working with the National Assembly to amend the Act so that the law aligns with modern, health-focused drug control practices
