Metro

Lagos Govt Gives Residents Four Months To Remove Illegal Structures In State Estates

Published

2 months ago

March 10, 2026

Lagos State Government has given residents living in its state-owned housing estates a four-month deadline to remove all illegal structures and building extensions that violate approved estate plans.

According to the statement by the Lagos State government, the directive was issued by the Lagos State Ministry of Housing, which warned that any structure built outside the approved layout of the estates, must be removed within the stipulated period or face enforcement action by the government.

During a recent stakeholders’ meeting at the Alausa Secretariat, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Abdulhafis Toriola, once again issued the warning.

The session, held in the Ministry’s Conference Room, served as a platform for the Ministry’s management to discuss these concerns with the executives of the Ojokoro Estate Residents Association from Meiran.

He noted that the full scale of the unauthorized building extensions and developments only became obvious to him during a recent inspection of the estate.

“The Ministry will not fold its arms and allow the distortion of the original master plan of any State-owned estate.

“All allottees were duly informed of the rules and regulations governing their properties before allocation, as clearly outlined in the Allottee’s Guide. Any breach of these provisions will attract appropriate sanctions,” the Permanent Secretary stated.

Following the meeting, it was agreed that all recorded violations within the estate must be cleared away within a four-month period.

Toriola further revealed that the ministry had already obtained the required authorization to demolish illegal buildings and start work on restoring the estate to its original, officially approved design and planning specifications.

He clarified that the move was intended to rectify existing issues, bolster security, and upgrade the estate’s overall look, rather than to penalize the homeowners.

The Permanent Secretary also responded to assertions from some residents who claimed they had received permission from the Lagos Building Investment Company for certain modifications to their buildings.

Tosin Olugbile, the Assistant General Manager of the company, refuted those claims, making it clear that no such building modifications had been authorized.

In response, Taiwo Akinde, the Chairman of the Ojokoro Estate Residents Association, voiced his worry regarding the growing number of unauthorized structures appearing throughout the estate.

Furthermore, he affirmed that the residents’ association stands behind the government’s initiative to reorganize and fix the estate.

As part of their ongoing efforts to work with the community, the Ministry’s directors and the Monitoring and Compliance team joined the residents’ association for their general meeting on February 28, 2026.

During the session, residents were briefed on the government’s official stance and the importance of strictly following the estate’s established guidelines.

Reaffirming this position, Toriola stressed that the duty to protect and maintain state-owned housing projects rests on the shoulders of both the government and the residents.

“State-owned housing estates are planned communities developed to specific standards. Any alteration inconsistent with approved plans compromises infrastructure integrity, environmental balance, and public safety,” he stated.

Consequently, the Lagos State Government has urged residents in all its housing projects to strictly adhere to the set guidelines.

The ministry further cautioned that the government will take appropriate measures to protect public assets and preserve the structural and environmental integrity of its housing estates.

Metro

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.

Metro

Grandfathers Arrested For Drug Trafficking

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

Two grandfathers, aged 83 and 78, are among several suspects apprehended by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a fresh nationwide crackdown on illicit drug trafficking.

Pa John Ofiel, 83, was arrested on Tuesday, 28 April during a raid in the Aba region of Abia State.

The NDLEA said that operatives acting on credible intelligence recovered 700 grams of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis already packaged into retail sachets.

The octogenarian, who claimed to be a professional shoemaker allegedly confessed to delving into the illicit trade.

In Ekiti State on Thursday 30 April 78 year old Ogunjobi Samuel was detained at his residence in Ilupeju-Ekiti where officers seized 350 grams of cannabis from him, identifying him as a local peddler.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, (CCEO), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), commended the various state commands for their drug supply reduction efforts.

He urged officers to maintain the current momentum, balancing enforcement with the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities.
The enforcement drive also led to the arrest of a notorious drug dealer in Oyo State Taofik Adeyemi, 49.

He was apprehended on Saturday, 2 May, at his residence in Ibadan after months of evading the authorities.

He was caught alongside his salesman, Mustapha Oyerinde, with 3.085kg of cannabis and a getaway vehicle.

Across other states, the NDLEA recorded significant seizures including over 140,000 pills and capsules of Tramadol intercepted in separate operations targeting transit routes from Damaturu to Hadejia.

A raid on Awolowo Market in Mushin area of Lagos state resulted in the recovery of 740kg of cannabis while in Kaduna, two suspects were caught on the Abuja-Jos highway with 290kg of compressed cannabis concealed in a Honda Ridgeline.

A 65-year-old driver was intercepted at the Ile-Ife toll gate in Osun state conveying skunk and methamphetamine, leading to a follow up arrest of the consignment’s owner in Ilesha.

In line with it’s mandate, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy, holding enlightenment lectures for students, Islamic schools, and commercial motorcyclists in Niger, Kano, Anambra, and Lagos states.

The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, noted that the agency remains committed to “cleansing the streets” of both notorious distributors and those who use age as a shield for criminal activity.