News

Lagos Task Force Raids Fela Shrine, Black-spots, Arrests 124 Suspects

Published

1 year ago

July 28, 2024

Lagos State Taskforce has raided the popular Fela Shrine, several notorious black spots known for illegal drug peddling, hooliganism, and criminal activities around Aminkanle Market, NerdC Street by African Fela Shrine in Agidingbi Area of Ikeja, and environs, arresting at least 124 suspects in the process.

The suspects were alleged to have converted the area to trading pavilion for hard drug markets, restaurants, liquor- pubs, located on road, thereby causing serious human/vehicular traffic obstructions as well as serious environmental nuisance and attendant health risk on residents.

The night raid, led by the Chairman of the agency, Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP, Adetayo Akerele, took place late at the weekend during the peak period when the illegal drug peddlers and street traders carry out their nefarious activities.

Their activities, he said also contravene the laid down environmental laws of the state through indiscriminate and unguided use of drugs, disposal of waste materials into the gutters, environmental nuisance which are likely to cause breach of peace in the metropolis.

Akerele described the raids which will be a continuous exercise, as a step made in the interest of the general public who have petitioned and sent several complaints over the menace of those suspected drug addicts, peddlers, street traders which also encourages criminality around the African Shrine, belonging to the popular Afro Beat Maestro, late Fela Anikulapo- Kuti and run by his family members, in the area.

Some of the locations he maintained serve as safe haven for criminals where they also live and raise up families.

Akerele stressed that; “The activities of these suspected criminals at Aminkanle Area of Agbado, Jobi Fele Road by African Shrine, and NerdC Street, especially at night is dangerous to humanity at all levels. The clean-up become necessary in the interest of environmental serenity, safety, sanity and maintenance of Lagos State’s Mega City status.

“They sell all manner of drugs indiscriminately there which is counter-productive to the society and they also contribute immensely to traffic build-up on adjoining roads at night when workers who have spent all day at work still shave to spend hours to get home. It is unfair to residents of this area and we will ensure that it is completely stamp out.”

Akerele reiterated the stance of Lagos State Government and the State Commissioner of Police Mr. Fayoade Adegoke, who maintained that all hands must be on deck to ensure that all notorious black spots known for high level criminality in the state becomes a thing of the past.

He disclosed that the agency is working hard to ensure that the environment is preserved as prescribed in-line with the THEMES PLUS agenda of the State Government.

The chairman, therefore, appealed to all other criminally minded individuals or groups to desist from the acts or face the wrath of the laws.

Akerele therefore, urged residents who have useful tips concerning black-spots, illicit trading on hard drugs or any other useful information on environmental infractions to contact the agency through the social media handles or come forth with them to the Headquarters of the agency at Bolade, for appropriate action.

Meanwhile, the taskforce boss revealed that a total of 124 suspects were arrested and carefully screened and those found wanting will be taken to Magistrate Court for prosecution on Monday.

News

NAF Launches Attack On Terrorists In Borno

Published

9 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Air Force, NAF, operating as part of the joint task force of Operation Hadin Kai, has carried out a coordinated air interdiction at AbbagaJiri in the Timbuktu Triangle, Borno State.

According to Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, Director of Public Relations and Information of NAF, the air strikes successfully paved the way for ground troops.

He explained that the operation was based on actionable intelligence from multiple sources, which confirmed the presence of terrorists, their structures, and concealed logistics facilities in the area.

Ejodame stated that NAF air assets were deployed in integrated surveillance and precision strike roles to target identified threats.

The operation aimed to degrade terrorist capabilities, deny them sanctuary, and shape the battlefield for ground forces, all while strictly adhering to rules of engagement and protecting civilians.

He added, “The Identified terrorist structures were decisively engaged and destroyed, denying the terrorists freedom of action, while a follow-up engagement neutralised armed elements observed converging on the location.”

“Subsequent advances by ground troops into the area confirmed the effectiveness of the air strikes and validated the success of the joint air–land operation.”

Speaking on the mission, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sunday Aneke, said, “The success of the mission reflects the NAF’s resolve to dominate the air domain in support of joint operations.”

Aneke further emphasized that the operation highlighted the service’s commitment to providing precise and decisive air power in support of ground forces.

In his words, “We will continue to deny terrorists freedom of movement, sanctuary, and logistics wherever they seek to hide. Air operations will remain relentless and intelligence-driven.”

“Our operations are carefully planned and intelligence-led, ensuring maximum effect on hostile elements while safeguarding innocent civilians.”

“The Nigerian Air Force will sustain pressure until terrorist networks are completely dismantled.”

He further noted that the operation showcased NAF’s aggressive stance, precision employment of airpower, and dedication to sustained joint operations.

Aneke added that such missions play a crucial role in enabling ground troops to maintain momentum and deliver decisive outcomes against terrorist networks threatening lives, property, and Nigeria’s national security.

News

Lagos Parks To Close For Maintenance – State Govt

Published

9 hours ago

January 10, 2026

Editor

The Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency, LASPARK, has announced that all public parks under its management across the state will be temporarily closed for routine maintenance and upgrades.

In a statement released on January 9 and shared via its official platforms early Saturday, LASPARK said, “All parks under our management will be closed to the public from January 12 to January 31, 2026.

“This follows increased visitor activity during the recent festive season.”

The agency listed several popular recreational spots that will be affected, including “Ndubisi Kanu Park, Alausa JJT Park, Dr. Finnih Abayomi Park in Oregun, and all other LASPARK-managed parks across Lagos State.”

News

PAP Sends Additional 34 Foreign Post-graduate Scholarship Beneficiaries To UK Varsities

Published

23 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Editor

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has deployed an additional 34 foreign post-graduate scholarship beneficiaries to various universities in the United Kingdom for the 2025-2026 academic year.

This was contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Warri by Mr Igoniko Oduma, Special Assistant on Media to Dr. Dennis Otuaro, the Administrator, PAP.

According to the statement, the scholars’ programmes include data science, fintech analytics, cyber security, international energy law and policy, construction project management, public health, agri-food technology, electrical and petroleum engineering, among others.

The statement added that more foreign post-graduate scholars will be sent to UK universities in the current academic session.

“In December 2025, nine students, who were the first set of offshore post-graduate scholarship developments by the PAP Administrator, Dr Dennis Otuaro, for the 2024-2025 academic year, graduated from their various programmes in UK universities.

“Otuaro has deployed over 9000 students to universities within and outside Nigeria for different industry-relevant programmes since he assumed office in March 2024,” the statement partly reads.

Speaking at the pre-departure orientation programme for the scholars at the PAP headquarters in Abuja, on Thursday, Otuaro said that the large-scale deployment was aimed at making the Niger Delta a knowledge-driven region.

He said that his leadership reinvigorated the programme to give it a new momentum in service delivery to the people of the region based on the mandate of President Bola Tinubu.

Otuaro said, “We are sending all of you for post-graduate studies in various universities in the United Kingdom.

“The PAP now has a new momentum and direction because of the repositioning and broad reforms that we carried out in line with the mandate of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.

“The objective behind the huge scholarships deployment is to ensure that we develop the needed human capital to transform the Niger Delta and generate knowledge-wealth.

“We want to develop relevant manpower in critical disciplines for our region and by extension, the country, because you are expected to contribute your quota to national development after successful graduation.”

The PAP boss, who was represented at the event by his Technical Assistant, Mr Edgar Biu, advised the scholars to study hard to achieve academic excellence in their various fields of research.

According to him, the scholars have an obligation to justify the Federal Government’s investment in their education and future.

He reiterated his warning that beneficiaries should not take for granted the opportunity to further their academic pursuits in the interest of the Niger Delta and indeed the country.

Otuaro expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his “enormous interest and support for the Programme”, particularly the approval of an upward review of the programme’s budget from N65billion to N150billion.

He also expressed gratitude to the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for his impeccable guidance and supervision of the programme’s initiatives.

Otuaro, therefore, cautioned the scholars to obey their host country’s laws and the rules and regulations of their various institutions, stressing that they are ambassadors of Nigeria, the Niger Delta and their communities and families.

Highpoint of the orientation programme was the presentation of laptops to the scholars to help them in their studies.