Metro

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

Published

3 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 Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18m Romance Scam

Published

3 hours ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, have arrested a woman and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.

The police disclosed that the arrests followed investigations into allegations bordering on computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering after receiving intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly collaborated with Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in carrying out fraudulent transactions.

“One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld,” the statement said.

The police further disclosed that proceeds from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

Investigators also alleged that the funds were later moved into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.

According to the statement, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities allegedly linked both mother and daughter to the cybercrime operation, leading to their eventual arrest.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

“Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to safeguarding Nigeria’s cyberspace and tackling cybercrime across the country.

The NPF-NCCC also urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official online reporting portal and designated communication channels.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

21 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.