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

Gunmen Kidnap Businessman In Ibadan

Published

1 day ago

May 4, 2026

Editor

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have abducted a 60-year-old man in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

The victim was kidnapped on Saturday while on his way to his residence.

The incident occurred at Jinarere, Alakia in Ibadan.

Public Relations Officer of the State Police command, Olayinka Ayanlade, when contacted, confirmed the incident.

Ayanlade in a statement made available to DAILY POST on Sunday, explained that efforts are ongoing to rescue the victim.

Ayanlade said, “Preliminary information reveals that the victim, a 60-year-old male and building materials trader, was accosted while returning home along the Jinarere axis of Alakia Road by four masked armed men, who forcefully whisked him away in an unregistered ash-coloured Toyota Corolla vehicle”.

Metro

Tragedy As Suspected Kidnappers Kill Young Entrepreneur In Edo

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

A 30-year-old entrepreneur and CEO of Principle Takeout, Justice Abu Oshioke, has been killed by suspected kidnappers in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area of Edo State.

He was reportedly attacked by the suspected kidnappers on Saturday while on his way to pick up an order made for his child’s dedication on Sunday morning.

Eyewitnesses said the attackers attempted to force him into a nearby bush in a kidnapping attempt. However, he reportedly resisted and tried to escape.

In the course of the struggle, the assailants opened fire, shooting him multiple times.

Concerned residents quickly rushed him to a nearby medical facility, but he was confirmed dead on arrival.

The deceased was said to have recently gotten married and welcomed a baby boy.

The tragic event has turned a joyous occasion into a moment of grief for the family.

The shocking development has left the Ekpoma community in deep sorrow, with many residents expressing outrage over the growing insecurity in the area.

Edo State Police Command’s spokesperson, Eno Ikoedem confirmed the incident and said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika has ordered a “full-scale investigation and intensified manhunt for those responsible.”

According to her, the Police, in collaboration with the military, local vigilantes, and hunters, are actively pursuing the perpetrators through coordinated operations.

Metro

Grandfathers Arrested For Drug Trafficking

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2026

Editor

Two grandfathers, aged 83 and 78, are among several suspects apprehended by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in a fresh nationwide crackdown on illicit drug trafficking.

Pa John Ofiel, 83, was arrested on Tuesday, 28 April during a raid in the Aba region of Abia State.

The NDLEA said that operatives acting on credible intelligence recovered 700 grams of skunk, a potent strain of cannabis already packaged into retail sachets.

The octogenarian, who claimed to be a professional shoemaker allegedly confessed to delving into the illicit trade.

In Ekiti State on Thursday 30 April 78 year old Ogunjobi Samuel was detained at his residence in Ilupeju-Ekiti where officers seized 350 grams of cannabis from him, identifying him as a local peddler.

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, (CCEO), Brig. Gen. Mohamed Marwa (Rtd), commended the various state commands for their drug supply reduction efforts.

He urged officers to maintain the current momentum, balancing enforcement with the agency’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities.
The enforcement drive also led to the arrest of a notorious drug dealer in Oyo State Taofik Adeyemi, 49.

He was apprehended on Saturday, 2 May, at his residence in Ibadan after months of evading the authorities.

He was caught alongside his salesman, Mustapha Oyerinde, with 3.085kg of cannabis and a getaway vehicle.

Across other states, the NDLEA recorded significant seizures including over 140,000 pills and capsules of Tramadol intercepted in separate operations targeting transit routes from Damaturu to Hadejia.

A raid on Awolowo Market in Mushin area of Lagos state resulted in the recovery of 740kg of cannabis while in Kaduna, two suspects were caught on the Abuja-Jos highway with 290kg of compressed cannabis concealed in a Honda Ridgeline.

A 65-year-old driver was intercepted at the Ile-Ife toll gate in Osun state conveying skunk and methamphetamine, leading to a follow up arrest of the consignment’s owner in Ilesha.

In line with it’s mandate, the NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy, holding enlightenment lectures for students, Islamic schools, and commercial motorcyclists in Niger, Kano, Anambra, and Lagos states.

The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, noted that the agency remains committed to “cleansing the streets” of both notorious distributors and those who use age as a shield for criminal activity.