Metro

PHOTOS: Sanwo-Olu Leads Inaugural Ride As Lagos Red Line Begins Operations

Published

2 years ago

October 16, 2024

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has officially flagged off commercial operations of the Lagos Red Line rail with an inaugural trip from Oyingbo Station to Agbado, a key suburban area on the Lagos boundary.

The historic ride, which took place at exactly 5.20 pm on Tuesday, comes seven months after the completion and commissioning of the rail infrastructure.

Speaking on the project, the governor said this is the second rail system to become operational in less than two years in the state.

The PUNCH reports that the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Blue Line System earlier began its long-awaited commercial operations in September 2023.

According to the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, the 37-kilometre Red Line has eight stations at Oyingbo, Yaba, Mushin, Oshodi, Ikeja, Agege, Iju, and Agbado.

A statement signed by the Head of Corporate Communication, Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, Kolawole Ojelabi, and posted on the agency’s X handle last Thursday stated that the operations will begin October 15.

The LAMATA boss further said the train services would commence daily from Agbado at 6 am.

Meanwhile, Sanwo-Olu, who arrived at Oyingbo Station at 5pm, was met with jubilant crowds, including state officials, lawmakers, corporate executives, journalists, and members of the public who were invited to join the maiden journey.

The governor personally made the boarding announcement, kicking off the service that promises to be a game-changer for public transportation in Lagos.

In a statement released on Tuesday and signed by Gboyega Akosile, the governor’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Sanwo-Olu disclosed, “The State is expecting additional rolling stocks for the Red Line next year.

“This will enhance the rapidity of the train service and improve overall efficiency.”

The first stop, four minutes after departure, was Yaba Station, where several passengers alighted to connect to Last Mile services for their final destinations.

Meanwhile, Sanwo-Olu also disclosed this in a late Tuesday night post on his official X account.

According to the post, the train then continued its route, making stops at Mushin, Oshodi, and finally, Ikeja, where Sanwo-Olu disembarked with his entourage.

The journey from Oyingbo to Ikeja took just 34 minutes, a significant reduction in commuting time for Lagos residents.

Speaking to reporters at the Ikeja Station, Sanwo-Olu praised the ride as “smooth and outstanding,” highlighting the potential of the Red Line to transform public transportation in Lagos.

“This is an experience that we believe will not only help in solving issues around public transportation in Lagos but will also improve connectivity and reduce the journey time for commuters traversing the city. From here in Ikeja, the train proceeds to Agege before finally halting in Agbado,” the governor said.

He further added, “The general public can now feel what we have done in mass transportation. We have fulfilled our promises, especially on the Red Line, just as we did on the Blue Line.

“From this evening, there will be regular scheduled train services from Agbado to Oyingbo and back.”

Metro

Police Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18m Romance Scam

Published

21 minutes 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

18 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.