Metro

Lagos Removes Illegal Shops, Shanties On Lagos Island

Published

2 years ago

January 24, 2024

Editor

The Lagos State Building Control Agency has begun the removal of shops and shanties built on roads and setbacks within the Lagos Island Business District.

According to a statement on the Lagos State official website, the exercise was aimed at creating easy access to high-rise buildings and offices in the area, especially during emergency periods, and also creating link roads for vehicle movement to decongest traffic situations in the area.

The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr Oluyinka Olumide, who spoke to journalists in Alausa on the exercise on Tuesday, noted that it was long overdue for the state government to open up access roads and streets within the Lagos Island Business District for easy access by rescue operators during emergencies.

He stated that the removal of shanties and illegal shops built on access points leading to high-rise buildings, and offices which were a continuous exercise would be extended to other parts of the State in line with the mega city status as envisaged by Mr. Governor.

He said, “Shanties and makeshift shops have no place in the THEMES+ agenda of Mr Governor and therefore are not allowed anymore in markets as the government has provided designated markets, shops, and outlets for traders to do their business instead of coming onto the roads. All corridors leading to commercial and residential high-rise buildings across the state have to be cleared to allow for emergency services at all times”.

Olumide further disclosed that the state government was fully committed to the total regeneration and renewal of urban areas to meet the mega status of Lagos State, adding that the Mandilas building gutted by fire over the weekend would have to undergo a structure integrity test to ascertain its habitable status before it could be re-opened for public use.

Speaking also on the removal exercise, the General Manager of LASBCA, Gbolahan Oki, decried the negative impact the age-long practice of blocking roads and streets by traders has on the easy movement of vehicles and the inability of emergency services deployed during critical situations to function and have easy access to where they are needed.

He noted with dismay the situation that continuously plays out whenever there are fire outbreaks within the markets on the island business district as fire trucks find it extremely difficult to get to their target to deploy firefighting equipment in those areas.

“Unfortunately, traders and shop owners have taken over major roads and streets blocking the easy movement of vehicles within the markets, we cannot fold our alms and allow this ugly situation to go unchecked.

“Lagos State Government is taking the bull by the horns by removing all shops and shanties impeding the free flow of vehicular movement within these axes. We are giving shop owners in other adjoining streets to the Mandilas Building one week grace period to salvage their wares and goods from such offending shops as the State Government has resolved to clean up the area”, he stated.

Oki, while noting that several warnings earlier given by the government to owners of shops erected on streets and roads had not been obeyed, advised the owners to take advantage of the grace period given to remove their wares.

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.