Metro

Lagos Reopens Ladipo, Oyingbo, Other Markets After One-week Closure

Published

2 years ago

October 9, 2023

The Lagos State Government, through the state Waste Management Authority, LAWMA, has ordered the reopening of Ladipo, Oyingbo, Alamutu Ologede, and Ile-Epo markets, recently sealed over filth and gross environmental abuse.

Recall that about a week ago, following approval by the Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, LAWMA shut the affected markets with the conditions to be met before reopening.

The Managing Director of LAWMA, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, who gave the order in the early hours of Monday, stressed that stringent compliance measures are important in safeguarding public health and shielding residents against future health crises.

Gbadegesin said that the reopening followed full compliance with the requisite conditions.

According to him, “Following extensive renovations and compliance measures, including the implementation of stringent conditions and a written mandatory undertaking for reopening, Ladipo Market, Oyingbo Market, Alamutu Ologede Market, and Ile-Epo Oke Odo Market have been reopened today for business transactions.”

Gbadegesin, stated that the reopened markets had to comply with a set of mandatory conditions listed for them prior to resuming operations.

Those conditions include: providing a designated waste point; installation of blockwork fences and platforms for the placement of double dino bins; procurement of double dino bins for waste containerisation; commitment to putting in place sustainable market waste policing to guarantee constant cleanliness of the market environment and enforce proper waste disposal regulations; and engagement of bin keepers.

Others include: collaboration with accredited Private Sector Participant, PSP, operators for timely evacuation; prompt payment of waste bills, as well as, dislodging street traders from road medians and setbacks, and preventing unauthorised vending.

“A filthy market is a breeding ground for terrible diseases like cholera, typhoid, Lassa fever, ebola, malaria, and others. We cannot stand by and watch some markets expose the people of Lagos State to such conditions, which are clearly avoidable if they do the right things,” he stressed.

He added, “We want to make it abundantly clear that any future violations will attract stiffer sanctions, including the permanent closure of the offending market.”

Gbadegesin, therefore, tasked the executive members of markets in the state to live up to their responsibilities, urging traders to be public-minded by being hygienic in their trading activities, as that would usually be beneficial to them and their customers.

He added that local government authorities would be entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring market operations’ adherence to set conditions, urging members of the public to play a pivotal role in this process by promptly reporting any observed lapses in sanitation to LAWMA.

Gbadegesin reminded markets around the state that LAWMA’s zero-tolerance policy for reckless waste dumping in markets was still on course, warning that defaulting markets risked closure and a hefty fine.

“For waste management-related issues in your area, call the LAWMA toll-free numbers: 07080601020 and 617,” he urged members of the public.

Metro

Police Declare Two Wanted Over Attack On Ahoada-East LGA Administrator, Theft

Published

2 hours ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

The Rivers State Police Command has declared two top officials of the Ahoada-East Local Government Area wanted over their alleged involvement in the brutal attack on the LGA’s Sole Administrator, Hon. Goodluck Iheanachor.

Declared wanted are Mr. Hector Ekakita, Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Ahoada-East LGA, and Mr. Aloni Olodi, Chief of Staff (COS) of the LGA.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the police said the duo is wanted for alleged criminal conspiracy, stealing, assault occasioning harm, and attempted murder. The offenses stem from a violent incident that occurred on June 20, 2025, at the Ahoada-East Council Secretariat.

According to the statement, Ekakita and Olodi, alongside a group of about 30 others, allegedly conspired to assault the Sole Administrator, inflicted injuries on him, forcibly obtained his signature under duress, stole his mobile phones and sensitive documents, and carted away both personal and official property from his office.

The police revealed that despite repeated invitations, the suspects have failed to appear for questioning, prompting the declaration.

“The Rivers State Police Command has declared the following individuals wanted… Mr. Hector Ekakita – Chief Security Officer (CSO), Ahoada-East LGA, and Mr. Aloni Olodi – Chief of Staff (COS), Ahoada-East LGA,” the statement read.

“Their actions resulted in bodily harm to the administrator, who continues to receive medical treatment.”

The Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, psc, mnips, has urged the suspects to report to the Police State Headquarters on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, without further delay.

He also warned that anyone found aiding or shielding the suspects would face the full weight of the law.

“The Rivers State Police Command remains steadfast in its commitment to justice and maintaining public peace and safety,” the statement concluded.
(VANGUARD)

Metro

10 Die In Ogun Night Bus Crash

Published

7 hours ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

No fewer than 10 persons have been confirmed dead, while three others sustained injuries in a lone crash involving a Mitsubishi bus on the Ijebu-Ode–Ibadan Expressway.

Mr Babatunde Akinbiyi, spokesperson for the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) in Ogun, confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday.

Akinbiyi said the accident occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on Friday at Ome Bridge, Awa, along Ijebu-Ode–Ibadan highway in Ijebu North Local Government Area.

He stated that the lone crash involved a Mitsubishi bus, registration number EJ829-LSR, which was conveying 15 passengers at the time.

According to Akinbiyi, seven male and three female passengers died. Three others were injured, while a toddler and one adult escaped unhurt.

He said preliminary findings indicate that overspeeding and wrongful overtaking led to the accident.

“Eyewitnesses said the driver wrongly overtook another vehicle at high speed and could not regain control after noticing an oncoming vehicle.

“The driver veered off the road, hit an abandoned gravel pile beside the bridge, and plunged the vehicle into the river,” Akinbiyi explained.

He said the deceased were taken to Ijebu-Ode General Hospital’s morgue, while the injured were also being treated at the same facility.

The spokesperson urged motorists to avoid speeding and to refrain from travelling at night, stressing the importance of road safety at all times.

Metro

NDLEA Detains Couple, 2 Daughters For Alleged Drug Running

Published

8 hours ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) on Sunday said it has arrested and detained a businessman, his wife and two daughters over alleged drug peddling.

A statement by the NDLEA Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, in Abuja, stated that a family friend of theirs was also taken into custody.

Babafemi said that this came after an investigation revealed that the family ran a major illicit drug distribution network in Lagos involving a family friend.

“The couple was first arrested on Friday, June 13, by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) in Ojo area of the state and transferred to NDLEA along with 277.5kg of skunk.

“While they were still being investigated in custody, credible intelligence revealed that the family business was going on in his house.

“This led to a raid of their home and a packing store where 231kg of the same substance was recovered on Tuesday, July 1.”

Meanwhile, NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, July 2, intercepted a frequent flyer for drug trafficking.

Babafemi said that the suspect specialised in conveying goods for customers from Nigeria to Italy and vice versa.

“He was found to have hidden 7,660 pills of tramadol 225mg and 200mg inside food items packed among other goods he was conveying to Italy.

“He claimed that he was to be paid the sum of 800 euros upon successful delivery of the drug consignment in Italy,” he said.