The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Mushin

  • Mushin council boss unfolds agenda

    The Chairman of Mushin Local Government Area, Lagos State, Hon. Emmanuel Bamigboye, has said his administration will place a high premium on integrity, dedication, equity and hardwork.

    He said the new administration will embark on progressive programmes, including massive infrastructural development.

    Addressing staff, political supporters, market men and women and others stakeholders, following his resumption of office,  Bamigboye said he would focus on environmental sanitation, education, women and youth development, poverty alleviation and market development.

    He said security of lives and property and aggressive internal revenue generation will also be his priorities.

    He therefore, solicited the support of the stakeholders to bring these lofty ideas to fruition.

    The council boss waived the olive branch to aggrieved All Progressives Congress (APC) members, urging them to team up with his administration in its bid to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.  to enable them

    He reasoned that as a party, all hands should beon deck to actualize the promises.

    Bamigboye said: “As the government that is the closest to the people, local governments are better placed to bring the desired change to the doorstep of Nigerians.”

    Bamigboye said it was gratifying that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode had set the ball of providing democracy dividends rolling at the state level, saying it was was worthy of emulation.

    He said Mushin local government under his leadership will take a cue from Ambode leadership to deliver democratic dividends to the grassroots.

  • Army Day Celebration: Soldiers clean-up Lagos community

    Army Day Celebration: Soldiers clean-up Lagos community

    The Nigerian Army on Saturday defied the early morning downpour and deployed his officers and men in Mushin, a Lagos mainland industrial hub and a congested residential area with inadequate sanitation and low-quality housing, for a clean-up exercise.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Maj.-Gen. Peter Dauke, and the 9 Brigade Commander, Brig.-Gen. Elias Attu, led the soldiers in a massive sanitation exercise in the streets of Mushin.

    The soldiers were seen clearing the refuse dumps and the drains blocked by bottles of water, nylons and waste.

    According to Dauke, the environmental sanitation is part of the activities lined up to commemorate the 2017 Nigerian Army Day Celebrations.

    He expressed the hope that the exercise would further boost the Army-Public relations.

    “Sanitation is one of the activities lined up for this years’ Army Day celebration which will be followed by a medical outreach.

    “Sanitation is the civic responsibility of everyone and we feel part of our corporate social responsibilities is to interface with the public and the government in this vicinity.

    “This is why we are contributing our quota by interfacing with other security agencies to keep this vicinity clean,” he told newsmen.

    The GOC appealed to residents of Mushin to maintain a clean and healthy environment, saying “cleanliness is next to Godliness”.

    “Everyone should ensure that they do everything possible to make their environment clean.”

    “Our environment must be clean for us to live healthily,” he said.

    Traders and food sellers as well as residents, who came out for the exercise, expressed gratitude to the Army for their intervention.

    They noted that the soldiers defied the rain to carry out the exercise.

  • Of masquerades and marauders

    Of masquerades and marauders

    ‘Ojuju calabar’, that infantile rhyme we sang with so much zest and relish when we were yah-high was the song that popped into my head when a scary human entity dressed in funny regalia approached me with a whip as I was walking by the busy road of Mushin. He claims to be a masquerade, and felt it was his legitimate and spiritual right to demand my share in the gods token.

    What a malady! I thought. I refused to give him any money; disappointedly, he left me and went to stop another innocent passerby who gave him the sum he requested for because of the fear of being whipped.

    These so called masquerades who take on the toga of ‘god’s tax collectors’, move around, constituting cultural and environmental nuisance,  scare people and forcefully collect money from them.

    In an interview with a masquerade called “Eegun Shokoti Alagbede” he said “owo ti a n gba yii fun etutu ilu ni, ati fun irunmole”, meaning – the money we collect from people is to make sacrifices to cleanse the land, and to appease the gods.

    In another interview with a passerby, who is a student of the University of Lagos, he expressed himself with a rather caustic and obnoxious opinion about masquerades and their macabre dances. According to him, ‘I hate those monsters called masquerades because they forcefully collect money from people and if one refuses to give them money they can almost use their whip on him or her’.

    These ‘marauders’ have become a nuisance in Mushin market. They have added ‘nuisance value’ to our collective patrimony.

    But as the popular saying goes ‘one man’s food is another man’s poison’, so is the case of Fabiyi another passerby who believes in our ethereal obligation to the gods; that is, it is important to give the god’s their tokens regularly in order to avoid unforeseen disasters and pestilences.

    The masquerades have consistently claimed that the money collected is meant for the cleansing of the land – for peace and tranquility. I am not one that would readily go against our culture and traditions that have been in existence before my great grandparents, however, any culture that become too toxic and is clearly a threat to freedom and expression is anti-people and anti-existence: It should be put on leash.

    I believe the government should take deliberate steps to curb the nefarious and disgraceful acts of these marauders who plunder of hard-earned money in the name of the gods.

  • Police drag six teenagers to court for public disturbance

    Police drag six teenagers to court for public disturbance

    The police on Monday, dragged six teenagers to an Ikeja Magistrates’ Court for rioting and disturbing the peace of residents of Idioro, Mushin area of Lagos State.

    The accused, who are also residents of the same area, are facing charges of conspiracy, rioting and unlawfully assembly.

    According to the Police Prosecutor, Sgt. Emmanuel Ajayi, the accused committed the offences on April 29 at Idioro, Mushin Lagos.

    He said that the accused unlawfully assembled at 2. 00 a.m. and acted in a disorderly manner by disturbing the peace of the area to the extent of causing panic to the residents.

    “The accused conspired at an ungodly hour to riot and disturb the peace of residents.

    “They were arrested in connection with the Mushin mayhem,” he said.

    Ajayi said that the offences contravened Sections 44, 45, and 409 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Section 45 prescribes three years imprisonment as penalty for rioting.

    All the accused pleaded innocence of the offences and the court granted them bail in the sum of N20,000 with one surety each in like sum.

    The Magistrate, Mrs F. A. Azeez, said that each surety must be a blood relative of the accused.

    The case was adjourned till June 7 for mention.

  • Marketer faces N1.4m fraud charge

    A 28-year-old marketer, Omoaka Oseremen, who allegedly obtained 77 pieces of internet modem and recharge cards, worth N1.4 million, on Friday appeared in an Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court.

    Oseremen, who resides at 6, Post road, Mushin, Lagos, is being tried for on charges bothering on obtaining under false pretences and stealing.

    The prosecutor, Insp. Clifford Ogu, told the court that the accused committed the offnce between August, 2014 and July, 2015 at 16, Association Avenue, Ilupeju, Lagos.

    Ogu said that the accused obtained 77 pieces of internet modems and recharge cards from the complainant, Mrs Racheal Bankole, under the pretext of selling the goods.

    “The accused was to sell and remit the proceeds of the sales into the complainant’s account, but he failed to do so.

    “The goods valued at N1.4 million,” he said.

    He said the offences contravened Sections 285 and 313(b) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

    The accused, however, entered a “not guilty” plea.

    The Chief Magistrate, Mrs Taiwo Akanni, granted the accused N250, 000 bail with one surety in like sum and adjourned the case until May 15, for mention.

  • Mushin crisis: Police arrest 59 suspects

    The police in Lagos have arrested 59 suspects for their alleged involvement in Monday’s fracas at Mushin that left several persons injured.

    Police Commissioner Fatai Owoseni disclosed this at a press conference held Tuesday at the command’s headquarters in Ikeja.

    Parading the suspects, Owoseni said 68 persons were arrested but nine were released after they were screened.

    He said the suspects were arrested at the popular Akala Street, known for its notoriety in illicit drugs.

    Owoseni said the operatives recovered pump action guns, charms, daggers and cutlasses from the hoodlums, adding that the police were on the trail of kingpins, who instigate crisis in the area.

    According to the police boss, some “powerful people” have been named, within and outside the market as sponsors of the hit and run operations for selfish interest.

    He said: “The police are working with sister agencies, especially the military to trail the sponsors and to make sure that hoodlums no longer operate freely in Lagos.”

    Giving a rundown of the command activities, Owoseni said 13 suspected armed robbers were arrested at different locations, adding that two suspects died during shootouts with operatives.

    The commissioner also paraded 21 other suspects including 17 persons arrested for alleged gangsterism.

    He said eight weapons, 18 rounds of ammunition and 10 vehicles were recovered from hoodlums within the period under review.

    On activities of militants, Owoseni said the police would continue the raiding of creeks, adding that more suspects have been apprehended.

    He said: “We are still raiding creeks, aside from Isawo, we are gathering intelligence report on other creeks. We would continue with the exercise until we get rid of the criminals in the creeks. We will sustain the tempo and nothing would make us not achieve our purpose.”

  • Seven injured as vehicle loses control in Lagos

    Seven passengers have been reportedly injured as a commercial bus popularly known as “danfo” had a break failure along Agege-motor road.

    The accident occurred adjacent the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency office (LASEMA) at Cappa.

    Addressing the newsmen, the driver, Mr. lucky Idemudia said he tried to bring the vehicle to a halt in compliant to the traffic light but the break pulled out and the vehicle ran over the pavement.

    “I was driving on the middle lane, heading to Mushin when the traffic light turned red and in an attempt to stop the vehicle from colliding with other vehicles, I stepped on the break but the break pulled out and when I tried to bring the vehicle to a halt, it went over the pavement instead; it was a scary moment but we thank God that it was not too serious”.

    The ambulance responded promptly by taking the injured persons to the hospital. They are currently receiving treatment in the hospital.

  • I’ll end criminality in Mushin, says aspirant

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) chairmanship aspirant for Mushin Local Government Area in the forthcoming local government election in Lagos State, Omoshola Omojuwa has promised to end all forms of criminality in the area if elected. He said the inattention given to issues relating to youths’ development by past leaders impelled some of the youth in the council to take to violent activities.

    Omojuwa added that he had already commenced discussions with experts on how to engage the youth in productive ventures, noting that every ward would benefit from the scheme.

    He said: “I am vying for the chairmanship of the council in order to make a serious statement. I am learning from the exemplary leadership qualities of our former state governors and the present one. Many of us did not give former Governor Babatunde Fashola the chance but he surpassed our imaginations.

    “That is a statement that too many things are still possible. That is the mind that I am bringing to Mushin. We have to change a lot of things, we have to change our thinking; we have to correct the negative impression people have about Mushin. We have to inject certain things into Mushin. We have to get our primary health care working; we have to ensure that schools under our control are functioning.”

    The aspirant stressed that no fewer than 13 APC aspirants were contesting in the polls, noting that he had the experience and laudable programmes to win the election.

    “This is not my first time of contesting; I have contributed so much to the system politically and community wise. I will say I am known to my people.

    “Many of the leaders are aware of my antecedents. The leaders have one or two things to say about me, so I believe I am more popular.

    “Apart from the primary health care and primary education, I am introducing what is called crime prevention mechanism in Mushin. Through my background as a security expert and in view of my belief in peaceful atmosphere where people can come into Mushin without being molested or harassed, I have this programme of training at least 10 youths from each ward on crime prevention.

    “They will join hands with what we call neighbourhood watch to prevent crime in Mushin. They are going to work for us. They are going to work like undercover, where their identity will not be disclosed. They will be trained and issued certificate and their value will be explored. I assure you that the project will be financed by those I had already contacted and are ready to support it in order to make the place safe,” the aspirant said.

    Omojuwa said it was time politicians looked beyond allocation from the Federal Government, noting that corporate organisations in Mushin council would be encouraged to support his administration.

    “I am not going to tax the people; we are mobilising some people who are ready to support us in terms of corporate contributions to the development of Mushin. I will properly approach our indigenous companies, those who are ready to sponsor security development in Mushin to do so. We have so many who are ready to donate generously into the crime prevention fund which I am not going to be part of the signatories.

  • Gang wars in Oshodi, Mushin, Lawanson

    Scores were  yesterday injured and vehicles smashed when hoodlums went on the rampage in Mushin, Oshodi and Lawanson.

    The hoodlums, suspected to be rival cultists, started fighting on Monday night.

    They were said to have fired gunshots; wielded bottles and cutlasses on Lawanson Road in Surelere.

    The hoodlums scared motorists and pedestrians around Charity Bus Stop on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway.

    Soldiers attached to Operation Mesa and anti-riot policemen were deployed to restore order.

    An eyewitness, John Udoh said: “It was like war situation. Gunshots were fired and we took cover in our homes. Many vehicles were smashed. My car was badly damaged. My landlord’s car was torched. Two of my neighbours, who were coming back from night duty were seriously injured. I don’t know what they are fighting for but I think it was a battle of supremacy.

    “They have been meeting publicly for about three days now. They smoked and drank publicly.  We reported to the police, but they did not take any action until this fight broke out. I am appealing to the Police Commissioner to prevail on his men to be proactive. We foresaw danger and reported to the authority concerned, yet they did not take action.”

    According to one Ebrison Akpan, over 20 persons were injured at Mushin, including traders.

    He claimed that street urchins took advantage of the situation to unleash mayhem on passersby.

    “They also used the opportunity to rob innocent people. My friend, Ayim lost his tricycle to the hoodlums,” said Akpan.

    The command’s spokesman, Olarinde Famous-Cole, an Assistant  Superintendent of Police (ASP) said no life was lost.

    He confirmed that there was a fight at Ladipo Market in Mushin, but said he was unaware of the Oshodi and Lawanson fracas.

    Famous-Cole said: “It was a minor dispute among traders. Area D commander, DPO, and patrol team responded to the scene. They had a meeting with all the parties and stakeholders in the market. They were warned to maintain peace. Normalcy has returned to the place and the Commissioner of Police has order continuous police presence in the area. I am not aware of the other locations you mentioned. The only incident I know about in Surulere is a case of robbery, where two suspects were arrested. The suspects were almost being lynched but police moved in and rescued them. They were taken to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).”

  • Rampaging hoodlums injure many in Lagos

    Rampaging hoodlums injure many in Lagos

    Several people Wednesday sustained injuries and vehicles smashed after hoodlums went on rampage at Mushin, Oshodi and Lawanson areas of Lagos State.

    The hoodlums, suspected to be rival cultists, were said to have started fighting since Monday night.

    They were said to have fired gunshots and flung bottles, cutlasses at will along Lawanson Road in Surelere, injuring passersby.

    Although the cause of the fracas was yet unknown, the hoodlums scared motorists and pedestrians between Charity Bus Stop and Afariogun on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, when they started flinging bottles at opposite directions.

    As at 8am Wednesday, soldiers attached to Operation Mesa and anti-riot policemen were seen at strategic locations at the affected areas to prevent degeneration.

    An eyewitness, John Udoh said: “It was like war situation. Gunshots were fired and we took cover in our home. Many vehicles were smashed. My car was badly damaged. My landlord’s car was touched. Two of my neighbors, who were coming back from night duty, were seriously injured. I don’t know what they are fighting for but I think it was a battle of supremacy.

    “They have been meeting publicly for about three days now. They smoked and drank publicly.  We reported to the police, but they did not take any action until this fight broke out. I am appealing to the Police Commissioner to prevail on his men to be proactive. We foresaw danger and reported to the authority concern, yet they did not take action.”

    According to one Ebrison Akpan over 20 persons were injured at the fight in Mushin, including traders.

    He claimed that street urchins took advantage of the fight to unleash mayhem on passersby.
    “They also used the opportunity to rob innocent people. My friend, Ayim lost his tricycle to the hoodlums,” said Akpan.

    Contacted, the command’s spokesman, Olarinde Famous-Cole said no life was lost.
    He confirmed there was a fight at Ladipo Market in Mushin, but added that he was unaware of the Oshodi and Lawanson fracas.

    Famous-Cole said: “It was a minor dispute among traders. Area D commander, DPO, and patrol team responded to the scene. They had a meeting with all the parties and stakeholders in the market. They were warned to maintain peace. Normalcy has returned to the place and the Commissioner of Police had order a continuous police presence in the area. I am not aware of the other locations you mentioned.

    “The only incident I know about in Surulere is a case id robbery, where two suspects were arrested. The suspects were almost being lynched but police moved in and rescued them. They were taken to LUTH.”