Metro

PHOTOS: Lagos Muslims Protest, Petition Lawmakers Over

Published

2 years ago

August 17, 2023

Muslims, under the umbrella of the Lagos Muslim Community, have staged a protest over what they described as official marginalization in the list of commissioner-designates forwarded to the state House of Assembly by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

The commissioners list released by Governor Sanwo-Olu allegedly has eight Muslims, and 31 Christians.

Muslims in their hundreds converged on the state’s house of assembly complex in the early hours of Wednesday.

The protest had in attendance heads of various Islamic organisations and scholars among other Muslims faithful, displaying placards, which reads the inscription, “MUSLIMS SAY NO OFFICIAL DISCRIMINATION.”

Addressing a large crowd of Muslim protesters at the venue, President, Muslim Community of Lagos State, Prof. Tajudeen .G.O. Gbadamosi, read a petition, which was submitted to the lawmakers.

President, Muslim Community of Lagos State (MCLS), Prof Tajudeen Gbadamosi reading the protesters speech to the Lagos State House of Assembly members, representing Speaker Mudasiru Obasa
Other prominent Muslim leaders at the event included the Convener, Joint Muslim Forum (JMF) Sheikh AbdurRahman Ahmad, Lagos State House of Assembly (LAHA) Member Lukmon Olumo; Chief Whip/Chairman Commissioners-Nominee Screening Committee Mojeed Fatai Adebola, LAHA Member Jubreel AbdulKareem and MURIC Director Prof Lakin Akintola, among others.

The petition, titled, “Petition on the Discrimination against Muslims in the Nomination of Commissioners,” reads, “We are here today to express our grievance and dissatisfaction against the blatant disregard for justice, equity and fairness in the proposed Lagos State’ Executive cabinet as contained in the list of commissioners nominees submitted by Governor Sanwo-Olu to this honorable House for your screening and confirmation.

“As you are aware, the list is a classic case of discrimination and religious bigotry, as it has 31 nominees who are of the Christian faith and only eight (8) nominees who are Muslims. This is not a new development, especially since Governor Sanwo-Olu assumed leadership of this State, as a matter of fact, it is has been elevated to a level of official state policy to deny Muslims their deserved positions under the Sanwo-Olu adminustration.

“For instance, in 2019, when Mr. Sanwo-Olu became governor, he appointed 14 Special Advisers, and only one (1) among them was a Muslim. Again, his State Executive Council, which had 43 members, only 14 were Muslims, and the remaining 29 were Christians.

“Also, of the 23 commissioners, 10 were Muslims and 13 of them Christians. Only 15 Muslims, with 35 Christians, made up the body of 50 Permanent Secretaries in his first term. These are just a few among numerous ways in which the Sanwo-Olu administration deny Muslims in this state their rightful place and number in leadership.”

The petition further reads, “The Rt. Hon. Speaker and honorable members, we want you to note that this list from Governor Sanwo-Olu violates the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria particularly Section 14(4) and is further strengthened by section 192(2) both stating as follows.

“The composition of the Government of a State, a local government council, or any of the agencies of such Government or council, and the conduct of the affairs of the Government or council or such agencies shall be carried out in such manner as to recognise the diversity of the people within its area of authority and the need to promote a sense of belonging and loyalty among all the peoples of the Federation.”

“192(2) Any appointment to the office of Commissioner of the Government of a State shall, if the nomination of any person to such office is confirmed by the House of Assembly of the State, be made by the Governor of that State and in making any such appointment the Governor shall conform with the provisions of section 14(4) of this Constitution.”

It reads, “With due respect Governor Sanwo-Olu’s list clearly violates these provisions of the Constitution and we accordingly call upon this honorable House not to endorse any action that violates our national grundnorm, especially one which equally violates good conscience and natural justice.

“The argument that Muslims have more elected officials in Lagos State in preposterous. This is even more so at a time when all the Six (6) Governors of the southwest are Christians and we the Muslims do not complain about this, because we recognise that they contested for offices and won.

“Why must Muslims in Lagos State always beg and fight for their constitutional rights especially since Mr Sanwo-olu became Governor? We recall with utmost sadness really, that until the Supreme Court ruled in favour of hijab for our school girls, successive Lagos Governments, never felt it should endeavor to align with the global best practice of accepting hijab in addition to abiding with the rule of law.

“The historic pro-hijab judgement was delivered in March 2022 and globally acknowledged. However, Governor Sanwo-Olu’s government in its peculiar idiosyncrasy chose to ignore this until a year later, after ceaseless pressure was mounted by well-meaning individuals.”

“We the Muslims of, and in Lagos State wish to categorically state that the entire leadership of the Muslim Community of Lagos State representing various Muslim organizations, unequivocally and unanimously reject the list of commissioner-designates of Governor Sanwo-Olu and we demand a reversal and review to reflect 60% in favour of Muslims in a fresh list.

“We call on the Lagos State House of Assembly to reject the list as similarly done in the Niger State House of Assembly, where a noticeably minority Christian population demanded a reversal of the list of commissioners to reflect fairness and equity to them.

“We also call on you and the House of Assembly to impress on the government the need to respect the diversity of the state’s population and to appoint a more representative cabinet. We believe that this is essential for the future stability and prosperity of Lagos State.”

Metro

Gunmen Kill 10 In Anambra Community

Published

7 hours ago

July 1, 2025

Editor

Panic has gripped the Ogboji community in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, late on Monday, when some assailants invaded a gathering of people and opened fire on them.

The gunmen were said to have killed no fewer than 13 people.

It was gathered that the armed hoodlums stormed the area in two Sport Utility Vehicles and unprovokedly attacked the people, who were holding their monthly general meeting, while also shooting indiscriminately into the air.

Although members of the community said 13 persons were killed during the attack, police sources, however, confirmed 10 were killed.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, a resident of the area and the President of the Association of Non-Indigenes in Anambra State, Chigozie Nweke, said non-indigenes were mostly the victims of the attack.

Nweke said, “It was a tragic and horrifying Monday evening for members of the Ogboji community, particularly non-indigenes residing in the area, as gunmen stormed a meeting venue in the area and brutally murdered about 13 persons.

“The attack, which occurred between 6:00pm and 7:00pm, left the affected families in mourning. We bring to the attention of the Anambra State Government the killing of these persons, mostly indigenes of Ebonyi State at Ogboji in Orumba South Local Government Area by yet to be identified gunmen.”

Nweke also appealed to the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Ikioye Orutugu, to mobilise the Command’s personnel to hunt down the culprits.

Narrating his ordeal in the incident, a survivor, Augustine Odom, who is the chairman of the Ebonyi community in Ogboji, described the attack as “sudden and unprovoked”.

Odom said, “The community was holding its regular monthly meeting when the assailants struck. We were having our monthly meeting of the Ebonyi community, which holds on the last Monday of every month, beginning at 4:00pm.

“This gathering was known to our Town Union President. It was a peaceful meeting aimed at discussing welfare issues affecting our members. Then, around 6:30pm, a group of gunmen arrived in a Sienna vehicle and accused us of holding a meeting against them.

“The attackers demanded the group’s minutes book, and thereafter seized it and opened fire on the participants. They collected our minutes book, ordered everyone to lie down, and then asked the chairman to stand. Moments later, they started shooting at us. About 13 of our members were killed on the spot. The treasurer and I survived with gunshot wounds.”

Odom added that those killed were from various communities in Ebonyi State, including Izzi, Ikwo, and Mgbo and other villages.

The two survivors, who are currently receiving treatment at a medical facility in the area, expressed shock, stating that they had no known disputes with any individual or group prior to the attack, adding, “We have no issues with anyone. We are law-abiding residents who simply gathered to support one another.”

Confirming the development when contacted on Tuesday, the Spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said police operatives have cordoned off the area while investigations have begun to unmask the perpetrators behind the dastardly act.

Ikenga said the victims were rushed to the hospital, where about 10 were confirmed dead.

He added that their corpses have been deposited at the morgue.

He said, “The Anambra State Police Command has condemned the indiscriminate shooting incident that resulted in fatal injuries and fatalities to ten persons on the evening of 30th June, 2025, at Ogboji, Orumba South Local Government Area. The Police has further assured that the Command shall hunt down the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

“The armed criminals came in two Sport Utility Vehicles and attacked the gathering of a group unprovokedly, shooting sporadically.

“The victims were rushed to the hospital and regrettably, 10 people were confirmed dead. The bodies have been deposited in the morgue.

“Meanwhile, the Police-led security team has taken over the scene and is working on the necessary information to arrest the perpetrators. Further development would be communicated, please.”
(PUNCH)

Metro

EFCC Arrests 31 Suspected Internet Fraudsters In Nasarawa

Published

7 hours ago

July 1, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested 31 individuals in Nasarawa State over alleged involvement in internet-related crimes.

The anti-graft agency disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday via X, noting that the suspects were apprehended in Nasarawa Toto, following credible intelligence.

“Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested 31 suspected internet fraudsters in Nasarawa State.

“They were arrested on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at Nasarawa Toto, Nasarawa State, following credible intelligence on their suspected involvement in internet-related offences,” the statement read.

According to the EFCC, several exotic phones and laptops were recovered from the suspects during the operation.

The commission added that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

Metro

30-year-old Man Hacks Mother To Death

Published

7 hours ago

July 1, 2025

Editor

A tragic incident of matricide has shaken the community of Dantanoma quarters in Gumel Local Government Area of Jigawa State, as a 30-year-old man, Hussaini Abubakar, killed his mother.

The incident occurred on Sunday, June 29, 2025, at about 8:00 pm, when operatives of the Gumel Divisional Police Headquarters received a direct complaint regarding a violent assault involving a mother and her son.

In a statement made available to journalists in Dutse, the Jigawa State capital, on Tuesday, by the Police Public Relations Officer, Jigawa State Command, SP Shi’isu Adam, said a 30-year-old man brutally killed his 75-year-old mother, Dahara Mu’azu.

The statement reads, “Upon arrival at the scene, the police discovered that the suspect had brutally attacked and killed his mother by repeatedly striking her head with mud blocks.

“The victim was found in a pool of blood with severe head injuries and was immediately rushed to the Gumel General Hospital for treatment. Unfortunately, a medical doctor on duty confirmed that the elderly woman had died on June 30, 2025.”

According to the PPRO, the suspect, Abubakar, has been arrested and is currently in police custody, cooperating with investigators, adding that, “He (suspect) will be charged to court upon completion of a discreet investigation.”

The statement contained that the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ahmad Abdullahi, condemned the heinous act in the strongest terms, describing it as inhuman, barbaric, and utterly reprehensible.

Furthermore, the CP has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Criminal Investigation Department (CID), to take over the case and ensure that the suspect faces the full wrath of the law.

However, the Jigawa State Police Command said the incident deeply saddens it and has called on members of the public to always report early signs of mental health crises or domestic violence to the nearest police station or community leaders, to prevent avoidable tragedies.

SP Adam also said that the command remains committed to upholding law and order, protecting lives, and ensuring justice for victims of crime across the state.

“The police urge the public to support their efforts in maintaining peace and security in the state,” he added.

Accordingly, the Jigawa Police Public Relations Officer noted that “the command is committed to protecting the lives and property of citizens and visitors to the state.”

He therefore urged the public to cooperate with the police in their efforts to prevent and investigate crimes. Saying, stressing further that “Together, we can build a safer and more secure community for all.”

The incident has sent shockwaves through the community, with many calling for justice for the victim and her family.

When contacted via telephone by our correspondent, Sule Baba, a neighbour of the victim said, “I am appalled by the brutality and senseless killing of the 75-year-old woman by her own son,”

“As a community, we are shocked and disturbed by this heinous act, and we demand justice for the victim and her family. The authorities must take swift and decisive action to ensure the suspect faces the full weight of the law.” said, and emphasized the need for increased vigilance and community support to prevent such incidents in the future.

Also, Aminu Lawan, a member of the community, expressed similar outrage and concern, saying that “this incident is a wake-up call for our community leaders and law enforcement agencies to take proactive measures to address mental health issues and domestic conflicts.”

Lawan called on the Jigawa State Police Command and other relevant authorities to thoroughly investigate the matter and ensure justice is served.
(PUNCH)