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Police Reveal Cause Of Death Of Bodies Found On Lagos Riverbank

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The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed that the five bodies recovered along the Oreta riverbank in the Igbogbo community, Ikorodu Local Government Area, on Wednesday were victims of a cult-related attack.

Panic spread through the community after residents discovered the lifeless bodies of young men by the riverside.

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A video clip, less than 30 seconds long, captured some of the corpses sprawled along the riverbank. One of the deceased was seen facedown in a blue hoodie, while another in a black-and-white shirt lay motionless with bloodstains nearby.

The killings add to a series of cult-related incidents across Lagos, which have so far led to the arrest of more than 26 suspects, according to the command.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The PUNCH on Saturday, the state Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, said new interventions were being deployed in Ikorodu and other flashpoints across the state.

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He confirmed the incident was cult-related, adding that investigations were ongoing.

“That is why we are investigating. You know that we recovered the bodies and sent scene-of-crime experts to the place.

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“The team has briefed me, and we have given more directives on areas to touch. We will make the outcome of the investigation public.”

The police boss explained that he had dedicated anti-cultism units established across all area commands in the state, as well as a central squad at the command headquarters to combat cult clashes.

“I have created anti-cultism groups in every area command. Parents and guardians must also be urged to advise and compel their children to stop cultism, as we are seeing attacks and counterattacks.

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READ ALSO:Three Killed In Lagos Masquerader Festival Clash

“If you look at the last two days, you will see that we have been able to control the situation through constant patrol of all the areas,” the CP noted.

Jimoh further revealed that specialised forces had been deployed to coastal areas to maintain peace.

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“The coast strike force has been deployed to Lekki. They have been working day and night. The areas are now peaceful.

“The five bodies we recovered – we are investigating the circumstances, but it is cult-related. We have been able to bring it under control.

“After the arrest of 26 suspects, we have arrested more suspects since then, and arrests are still ongoing.

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READ ALSO:Why We Shun Pedestrian Bridges Despite Risks, Despite Punitive Measures — Lagosians

“Nowadays, it is not idleness or joblessness that forces people into cultism. These days, you will even see artisans and others engaging in cultism.

“The kind of successful operation we had in Mushin, where we suppressed cultism to zero level, is what we are replicating in Ikorodu. All residents should go about their lawful businesses, as everything is under control.”

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The violence in Oreta came just a day after a man was gruesomely killed in Bayeku, another community in Ikorodu.

The Executive Chairman of Igbogbo/Baiyeku LCDA, Hammed Aroyewun, in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Oluwaseun Ajayi, said, “The incident, which shook the community and heightened fears over safety, drew an immediate response from the Council Chairman.”

Earlier in the week, three suspected cultists were also murdered during a festival on Lagos Island, further heightening concerns about cult violence across the state.

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Ex-general Tackles EFCC Over Forfeited N5bn Shares

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A former Managing Director of Nigerian Army Properties Limited, Maj. Gen. U.M. Mohammed (retd) has asked the Federal High Court in Lagos to set aside the order of final forfeiture granted in favour of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, insisting that the 246,305,544 shares in dispute were legitimately acquired.

The EFCC had secured the order on August 26, 2025, claiming the shares, valued at about N5bn, were purchased with funds diverted from fraudulent sales of NAPL properties during Mohammed’s tenure.

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The anti-graft agency listed the investments as including substantial holdings in Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Conoil Plc, Dangote Sugar Refinery Plc, Eterna Plc, Flour Mills Plc, Japaul Gold & Ventures Plc, NASCON Allied Industries Plc, Oando Plc, University Press Plc and Vitafoam Nigeria Plc.

The EFCC had argued that the forfeiture was made under Section 44(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006.

READ ALSO:EFCC Arrests CEO Over ₦2bn Ponzi Scheme

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But in a motion on notice obtained by our correspondent on Sunday, Mohammed contended that the shares did not originate from unlawful activities.

Instead, he maintained that they were purchased years before his appointment as head of NAPL in October 2015.

In an affidavit filed in support of his application, deponent Joseph Effiong said the shares were bought between September 3, 2007, and September 1, 2015.

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He was posted to Nigerian Army Properties Limited as the Managing Director on October 15, 2015, which was shown to me and marked as Exhibit UM2 is the posting history of ex-Maj Gen UM Mohammed.

READ ALSO:EFCC Orders Arrest Of Dismissed Officer On Lege Miami’s Show

“The shares listed in schedules A, B and C to the motion ex parte filed on April 29, 2025, do not represent proceeds of any crime or unlawful activities.

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“Shares in Schedules A, B and C were purchased between September 3, 2007, and September 1, 2015, long before ex-major general UM Mohammed was posted to NAPL as the managing director,” Effiong said.

The ex-general is also challenging the forfeiture on procedural grounds, alleging that his affidavit to show cause filed on July 29 was ignored and that he was denied a fair hearing when the case, initially fixed for October 8, was brought before a vacation judge without notice to him or his counsel.

That the final forfeiture order, having been granted in favour of Nigerian Army Properties Limited, is not in compliance with the provisions of Section 17 (1) Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Fraud Offences Act, 2006. The matter was initially adjourned to the 8th October 2025 for the hearing of the application for final forfeiture by Justice C.J. Aneke.

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READ ALSO:EFCC Releases Former Sokoto Gov Tambuwal

That there was no urgency for the case to be transferred to any vacation judge. That no notice or communication whatsoever was given to the applicant or his counsel.

“Non-service of hearing notice is a denial of the constitutional right of the party interested to a fair hearing/fair trial. The final forfeiture order was made in ignorance of the affidavit to show cause date and file on July 29. The affidavit to show cause was not considered, “ he said.

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He also alleged that the EFCC in the substantive suit failed or neglected to file an application for a final forfeiture order more day 60 days after the interim order was made by the court on May 7, 2025, in the Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022.

READ ALSO:Project ‘HOPE’: Investigate Ogbuku, NDDC Management, Ijaw Media Body Urges EFCC

The mandatory procedure for final forfeiture order under Section 17(1) requires any party interested in the property to show cause within 14 days of non-compliance, “ he alleged.

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Mohammed is seeking an order setting aside the entire proceedings in Suit No: FHC/L/MISC/404/ and the final forfeiture of the shares.

The court has yet to fix a date for hearing Mohammed’s application.

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Army Raids Terrorist Hideout In Katsina, Rescues 23 Women, Children

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Troops of the Nigerian Army operating under the ”Operation Fasan Yamma” have neutralised 23 terrorists and rescued 23 kidnapped victims in Katsina State.

A credible source at Army Headquarters told the News Agency of Nigeria that the successes were recorded in a fierce encounter on Saturday.

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The source said troops made contact with terrorists at Pauwa village in the Kankara Local Government Area of Katsina State and, with support from the air and artillery components, killed about 23 terrorists.

The source added that troops rescued 23 kidnapped victims, made up of 12 women and 11 children. Motorcycles, spare parts, lubricants, farm machinery, and foodstuffs recovered from the terrorists were destroyed.

READ ALSO:NAF Kills 35 Terrorists In Border Airstrikes Near Cameroon

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In the Northeast, he said that four family members of ISWAP/JAS terrorists—two adult females and two children—surrendered to troops of the 192 Battalion in the Gwoza Local Government Area of Borno.

The source also said that troops apprehended a suspected terrorist logistics supplier in the Kukawa Local Government Area of Borno with a mobile phone, wristwatch, and ₦55,000 in his possession.

According to him, five other suspects linked to theft and drug peddling were apprehended during a raid at Muva village in Adamawa.

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“In a separate operation, troops of Forward Operating Base Malumfashi in Katsina rescued three kidnapped victims at Shaiskawa village, Matazu Local Government Area, after engaging the terrorists in a firefight.

READ ALSO:How Terrorist Leader, Abubakar Abba, Was arrested – Niger Govt

“Elsewhere, under Operation MESA, three suspected criminals notorious for phone snatching around Dei-Dei, Dakwa and Zuba in the Federal Capital Territory were arrested with four mobile phones and a smartwatch,” he said.

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The source further revealed that troops of Operation SAFE HAVEN mediated in a farmer-herder clash in Jos East Local Government Area of Plateau to avert escalation.

He said the army would sustain pressure on terrorists and criminals until peace is restored, while urging the public to continue to provide timely and credible information to security agencies.

READ ALSO:Troops Kill 10 Terrorists Near Nigeria, Cameroon Border

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The operation “Fasan Yamma,” which literally means “Salvage the West”, is a major joint Nigerian military operation launched to combat banditry and terrorism in the country’s Northwest region, including states like Zamfara, Sokoto, Katsina, Kebbi, Kaduna, and Niger.

It was established by the Defence Headquarters in late 2024 by collapsing previous operations, such as Operation ‘Hadarin Daji’ and Whirl Punch, in a single theatre to improve coordination and effectiveness in fighting organised criminal networks.
(NAN)

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VIDEO: Lagos Clears Illegal Street Traders At Mile 2

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Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to restoring order on major roads.

This is as the state enforcement team dislodged illegal street traders at 2nd Rainbow Junction, inward Mile 2.

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In a video shared by the Commissioner on X on Monday, enforcement officers were seen clearing traders whose activities had obstructed traffic flow, endangered pedestrians, and littered the environment.

Wahab, in his statement, described the operation as part of ongoing efforts to keep Lagos roads safe and clean.

READ ALSO:Three Killed In Lagos Masquerader Festival Clash

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Our enforcement team is currently dislodging illegal street traders constituting nuisance at 2nd Rainbow Junction, inward Mile 2. These activities obstruct traffic flow, endanger pedestrians, and litter the environment,” he said.

He stressed that the government would not relent in its drive to ensure a sustainable urban environment.

We remain committed to keeping our roads safe, clean, and free of all forms of environmental infractions,” Wahab added.

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The Lagos State Government has in recent months intensified enforcement against street trading and other environmental infractions, insisting that the actions are necessary to safeguard lives, reduce congestion, and promote a cleaner city.

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