At least 17 houses have been demolished by the Lagos State Government for encroaching on the right-of-way (RoW) of the Ikota River alignment.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, led a monitoring and enforcement team, accompanied by journalists, to the site on Saturday.

Wahab cautioned residents against actions that threaten the environment, warning that nature inevitably retaliates against human negligence and unlawful reclamation of wetlands.

He disclosed that the ministry had received reports months earlier about illegal reclamation activities aimed at narrowing the river’s natural path.

“We stopped them then, but we were alerted again recently that the encroachment had resumed aggressively, with attempts to sell land to unsuspecting buyers,” Wahab said.

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The commissioner said the government had now taken decisive action to halt the encroachment and clear all illegal structures along the alignment.

He added that those behind the unlawful activity would be identified and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Speaking on the perennial challenge of flooding, Wahab noted that while it is impossible to completely prevent flooding in a coastal state like Lagos, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, lagoons, and rivers, the government continues to invest in infrastructure to mitigate its impact.

“What we can do is reduce its effects through resilient infrastructure, which Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has consistently provided and maintained,” he said.

Despite ongoing efforts to desilt and maintain drainage systems daily, Wahab lamented that some individuals persist in obstructing waterways for personal gain.

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He cited property number 156 as an example, saying it blocked the coastal road alignment and disrupted the natural flow of water.

“That property will be cleared to allow the Ikota channel to discharge freely into the Lagos Lagoon,” he added.

Wahab stressed that demolition was not always the state’s first option, as the government often explored corrective measures.

“Sometimes we ask developers to produce practical designs for stormwater discharge, but they must bear the cost, not taxpayers,” he said, describing it as irresponsible for the government to fix problems created by private developers who profit from violating environmental regulations.

During an inspection tour of the Lekki–Epe corridor, Wahab also decried the massive encroachment on wetlands originally designed to retain excess rainwater.

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He said drone surveillance had exposed extensive damage to the wetland corridor, including the destruction of coconut trees planted for soil stability.

According to him, violators were issued demolition notices on 26 September, ahead of planned transport infrastructure works on the same route.

He explained that the inspection was intended to align environmental preservation with the Ministry of Transport’s Green Line Rail project.

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Additionally, the Commissioner for Transport, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, stated that the Green Line Rail project, which will run from Marina to Epe, is anticipated to commence in December following stakeholder consultations and feasibility studies.

Osiyemi said some car dealers who were granted temporary approval to use power line spaces had violated terms by constructing permanent structures on wetlands.

“As a state, we must enforce compliance and protect the environment while advancing our transport development agenda,” Osiyemi said.

He added that the Green Line project, which is expected to last approximately three years, forms part of Lagos State’s integrated transport solution aimed at easing mobility across the metropolis.

Other areas visited during the inspection included Chevron Gate off Orchid Road, Partibon Homes, Oral Extension Phase 2, and Park View in Ikoyi.

(NAN)

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has launched an investigation into two travellers found in possession of undeclared foreign currencies totalling over $6,000 and £53,000 at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Terminal 2 in Lagos.

This was made known through a statement posted on the agency’s verified X handle on Saturday.

Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the EFCC, based in Ikoyi, have identified the suspects as Mamud Nasidi and Yahaya Nasidi.

The anti-graft agency said the suspects were apprehended by personnel of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria during a routine check on Saturday.

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Earlier, The PUNCH reported how the suspects who attempted to board an Aerocontractors aircraft with an undeclared sum of over $6.1m in cash were intercepted and arrested at the aircraft’s foot.

They claimed to be security officials travelling with a suspect and the money as exhibits.

However, the EFCC stated in its announcement that the duo, who had arrived in Nigeria from Dubai via Addis Ababa and were en route to Abuja, allegedly failed to declare the sums of $6,180 and £53,415 in their possession, as required by law.

Following their arrest, they were initially handed over to the Department of State Services before being transferred to the EFCC for further investigation and possible prosecution.

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EFCC also confirmed the seizure of three mobile phones found on the suspects at the time of arrest.

The suspects and the confiscated items were formally received by CSE Margaret Lamai on behalf of the acting Zonal Director, Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, Ahmed Ghali.

The EFCC in its statement said, “Operatives of the Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Okotie Eboh, Ikoyi, Lagos, have commenced investigations of two travellers arrested by operatives of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, FAAN, for allegedly failing to declare the sums of $6,180 and £53,415 cash in their possession.

“Also found on the suspects are three mobile phones. The suspects and the exhibits were received by CSE Margaret Lamai on behalf of the acting Zonal Director, Lagos Zonal Directorate 2, EFCC, Assistant Commander of the EFCC, ACE1 Ahmed Ghali.”

The Osun State House of Assembly has demanded the immediate unsealing of the offices of the Amotekun Corps, allegedly locked up by police officers investigating the role of the Corps in the killing of residents of Akinlalu community in the state.

Operational bases of Osun Amotekun in Osogbo and Ife Central Local Government Area were reportedly shut down by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team from the office of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

The team was deployed to the state following public outcry over the killing of Akinlalu residents by Amotekun operatives.

The PUNCH reports that about 20 Amotekun operatives in Osun State were on Wednesday arrested by the police in connection with the killings that occurred in Akinlalu last week Tuesday.

The police squad arrested the Amotekun operatives at the Oke Fia, Osogbo Operational Base of the Corps and at the Ife Central Division located in Ile-Ife.

A stepmother, Fausat Oyebamiji, last Sunday narrated how men of the Osun Amotekun Corps shot two siblings dead last Tuesday during a mayhem in Akinlalu community.

It was further gathered that after arresting the operatives found within the premises of the Ife Central Area Command and Oke Fia Osogbo Base, the police sealed off both facilities. However, the State Headquarters of the Corps located in the Powerline area of Osogbo was not sealed.

Confirming the arrests, the Osun Amotekun spokesperson, Yusuf Idowu, said some operatives were apprehended in connection with the incident that occurred in Akinlalu.

READ ALSO:Three Die As Amotekun, Hoodlums Clash In Osun

However, the Osun State Police Command, in response, said only five operatives of the Amotekun Corps were arrested.

In a statement by the Command’s spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, the police said the Inspector General of Police had taken over the investigation, adding that the Commander of the Amotekun Corps, Adekunle Omoyele, was invited to explain his role in the killings but refused to honour the invitation.

“Efforts made to reach him on phone proved abortive as his phone has been switched off, only for him to come on social media on 6th October 2025 and put up a claim of being attacked by unknown armed men wearing masks, which preliminary enquiry reveals to be a figment of his own imagination aimed at concealing the truth and derailing the course of justice for the victims.

“Investigation carried out by the Police revealed that the attackers are members of the Amotekun Corps and individuals were mentioned to have masterminded the attack, which victims and witnesses of the attack said they can identify if seen. Meanwhile, five suspects have been arrested in connection with the case; efforts are on top gear to arrest other suspects at large,” the statement read.

Addressing journalists in Osogbo on Friday, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, speaking on behalf of other lawmakers, said Amotekun, being an organisation created by law, could not be stopped by the police from performing its statutory duties.

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Egbedun also alleged that reports at his disposal linked the lawmaker representing Osun East in the Senate, Adenigba Fadahunsi, to the involvement of police operatives from the IGP’s office in the arrest of Amotekun personnel in the state.

He stated: “The House empathises with concerned families and individuals in Akinlalu who have been affected by the recent incidents involving security operations. While the House does not condone misconduct or impunity by any security organisation, allegations of wrongdoing must be investigated transparently and in accordance with the law and must not be used as a smokescreen to sabotage duly constituted institutions.

“The Amotekun Corps remains a lawfully established and functional agency of the Osun State Government, and no individual, political actor, or security institution possesses the constitutional authority to shut it down without a legislative revocation. The House condemns in the strongest terms the unlawful sealing of the Amotekun Corps operational offices and demands their immediate unsealing to allow the Corps to resume its statutory responsibilities without disruption.”

Contacted for his reaction, Fadahunsi confirmed that he invited the police, urging the House of Assembly to exercise caution in its claims that laws enacted by it could shield Amotekun, even when its operatives had allegedly violated the Constitution.

Fadahunsi, who said those killed were his constituents, warned that any further attempts to cause loss of lives in the Osun East Senatorial District would be resisted.

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“The Osun Amotekun office has become the home of murderers, not protectors of the community. The Amotekun officers are disturbing the peace of the state. The Corps is supposed to protect the territorial integrity of the state, not to start terrorising people. Even in my own town, Ilase-Ijesa, Amotekun arrested someone over a land case. Can they do that in Ede?” Fadahunsi queried.

He continued: “I am the Senator of Ife/Ijesa Senatorial District, and this is not about the APC or PDP. From February to date, I have lost 12 people to Amotekun’s killings. I was the one who invited the police, as I can’t continue to let them kill my people.

“During the crisis that occurred at the local government election, I lost four people. Many are still roaming about with bullets in their bodies. Nobody has been arrested. There was another case of shooting in Esa-Oke.

“After causing trouble for Ijesa South and Ijesa North, they now went to Ife to kill people in Akinlalu. Do they expect me to keep quiet as the Senator representing the District? I will not keep quiet. They would not kill a single goat in my area again. If they send them to destabilise my Senatorial District, I will not allow it.”

READ ALSO:Amotekun Arrests 28 For Robbery, Kidnapping In Ondo

Meanwhile, the police team reportedly evacuated four people detained at the State Headquarters of the Osun Amotekun Corps in Osogbo and handed them over to the Divisional Police Officers in charge of the areas where the crimes were allegedly committed.

The IGP-IRT team, led by SP Rotimi Ogunmuyiwa, was accompanied by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, Bayonle Sulaiman, during the Thursday evening visit.

During the visit, Ogunmuyiwa demanded to meet the heads of the Anti-Cultism, Narcotics, Kidnapping, Homicide, and other units created by the leadership of Osun Amotekun, but none were available. The team proceeded with the inspection and eventually evacuated the four suspects they found at the facility.

Two of the suspects, arrested for selling Indian hemp, said during interrogation that they had been detained for over five weeks. Another suspect said he had been detained for four days for stealing engine oil, while a Fulani herdsman stated he had been in detention for six days after being arrested for open grazing.

(PUNCH)