Metro

Underbridge Tenants: Lagos Govt Uncovers Identity Of Ring Leader

Published

2 years ago

May 5, 2024

Lagos State Government has identified the ring leader who rented out the Dolphin Estate Under-Bridge apartments to tenants as “Mopol,” even as it intensified efforts for arrest.

This came as the state government revealed that out of 450 miscreants rescued at weekend, 79 have been absorbed into some government facilities for rehabilitation after showing signs of being unwell.

Also, on Saturday, the State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, directed relevant ministries to take custody of children of squatters evicted from under Dolphin Estate and Osborne, Ikoyi Bridges for rehabilitation.

Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, said that a statewide exercise to free Lagos of visible security risks continued at the weekend after the arrest of some suspects under the Dolphin Estate Bridge.

According to Omotoso, “The ceaseless influx of miscreants, beggars, and the destitute onto Lagos streets has raised fears of insecurity of lives and property. This is unacceptable.

“As part of the exercise, 450 miscreants were at the weekend rescued. Of the lot, 371 pleaded for assistance to relocate to their various states due to the hardship they are facing in Lagos.

“79 have been absorbed into some government facilities for rehabilitation after showing signs of being unwell.

“The exercise will continue as part of the government’s responsibility to keep our citizens safe and secure.”

Also, Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr. Tokunbo Wahab, alongside the Special Adviser on Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, during an inspection tour at the weekend to the Dolphin Estate Under Bridge, and Ikoyi Towers, where illegal squatters occupied illegally, said
Governor Sanwo-Olu, has directed relevant ministries to take custody of children of the squatters evicted from underbridges for rehabilitation.

Wahab, who was full of compassion for the displaced children when he visited Dolphin Estate Under Bridge, along with the other team, said Mr. Governor has approved to take custody of the children pending the time they get permanent accommodation.

He disclosed the governor’s gesture when he met with Taiwo, Idowu and Alaba Johnsons, who are siblings during the inspection at Dolphin Estate Under Bridge.

Taiwo, 15, Idowu, 13 and Alaba, 9, Johnsons who attend Dolphin Primary and High School, said they remained at the demolished site because they have no other place they can call a home.

The children, who were seen playing a Ludo game, said their mother and father have gone out for their normal daily business activities and are expected to return later in the evening.

“We want the state government to assist our parents. We are poor from Delta State. We came to Lagos to find a living but things are too tough for our parents, that is why we are living under the bridge,” Taiwo told our correspondent.

Wahab, subsequently, directed a senior officer in charge to make contact with parents of concerned children and the Ministry of Youths and Social Development for rehabilitation of children displaced from under bridges as approved by Mr. Governor.

The commissioner said the Environment Ministry and relevant counterpart ministry will collaborate on how to take care of some of the children of school age who lived under the bridge.

The commissioner said strict monitoring would be enforced to ensure that those displaced do not return, while removal enforcement would be extended to others identified under bridges across the state.

“The government remains resolute on extending its clean up exercises round the state as it has done at Apogbon, Obalende, Dolphin, Ijora Under bridges.”

Strong indication also emerged that security personnel have continued manhunt after the ring leader of landlords, simply identified as “Mopol.”

Wahab, said, “He can only hide for a while and can’t run forever. The long arm of the law will son catch up with him.”

Wahab, earlier at at the on-going Ministerial Press briefing to commemorate the first year of the second term in office of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, held at Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos said Government has intensified efforts to arrest for prosecution the ring leaders who rented out the under-bridge apartments to tenants.

According to Wahab, “In a renewed step to ensure safety of lives of residents, the operatives of Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI/LAGESC, in line with the provisions of the Lagos State Environmental Protection Management law renewed the enforcement of the use of pedestrian bridges.

“At the count, a total number of 1,032 persons were arrested for crossing the highway and failure to use pedestrian bridges.

“165 miscreants and squatters on the pedestrian bridges across the state were also dislodged and the bridges cleaned up.

“The operatives carried out an operation that unearthed a major illegal housing settlement constructed under the Dolphin Bridge Ikoyi.

“An unbelievable 80 rooms partitioned 10×10 and 10×12 and a container used for different illegal activities was also discovered.

“All the structures have been dismantled and a total of 36 miscreants who lived under the bridge were arrested while efforts are being intensified to arrest the ring leaders who rented out the underbridge apartments which also add electricity supply.”

Recall that as part of the ongoing removal of illegal structures, the state government on Thursday, uncovered another set of apartments under bridge located in the highbrow area of Osborne, Ikoyi, Lagos State.

Earlier on Tuesday, Wahab, had in a tweet on his official X handle page, announced discovery of an apartment under the Dolphin Estate Bridge in Ikoyi where tenants paid N250,000 annual rent.

In the latest tweet on his X handle page on Friday, Wahab announced that the illegal settlement was discovered under Osborne Bridge, Ikoyi.

According to Wahab, “Another illegal settlement was discovered under the Osborne Bridge, Ikoyi. Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps @LAGESCOfficial (KAI) commenced immediate clearance operation,” the commissioner wrote on X.

The state government had earlier dislodged tenants under Dolphins Estate Bridge, who paid N250, 000 annually to landlords involved in the nefarious act.

The tenants who were dislodged in the process were discovered during an enforcement exercise by officials of the state government during demolition of illegal structures

He added that the enforcement team of Lagos State’s Ministry of Environment and Water Resources had successfully removed all structures, including a container utilised for various illegal activities, from beneath the Dolphin Estate Bridge.

The commissioner wrote, “18 individuals squatting illegally under the bridge leading from Dolphin Estate were arrested yesterday 30th of April, 2024 by the officials from the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps.

“A total number of 86 rooms, partitioned into 10×10 and 12×10, and a container used for different illegal activities were discovered under the Dolphin Estate Bridge.

“They have all been removed by the enforcement team of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources.”

Wahab warned residents to desist from unhealthy environmental practices that could undermine government effort in protecting the environment against degradation and other climate change effects.

He added that various agencies on environmental sustainability have been empowered to prosecute individuals or organizations caught degrading the environment in any form.

Commissioner revealed that “the state government is committing huge resources on environmental protection against all forms of degradation, especially, the fight against climate change and its attendant effects on human health and the ecosystem.”

He stressed that the state government would intensify efforts on enforcement to ensure compliance with the environmental laws to achieve a vision for a sustainable environment.

According to Wahab Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA, which acts like the State environmental police, in the last 3 months had carried out 367 enforcement operations in households, markets, hotels, warehouses, sales points, industries, worship centers, Night clubs and other places for various environmental violations, while abatement notices were served on others for discharging raw sewage into the lagoon.

He warned that LASEPA has been empowered more than before to ensure total compliance with state environmental laws 2017 across the state to safeguard the environment against further degradation because of its consequences on human health and the ecosystem.

The commissioner who explained that various enforcement operations carried out by his Ministry and its agencies across the State were in the interest of the public, noted that the State government would not fold its arms while allowing selfish few to continue undermining reform efforts in preserving the environment for a better living and sustainable growth.

Also commenting on tenants under bridges, the Special Adviser on Environment and Water Resources, to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Mr. Kunle Rotimi-Akodu, further confirmed the eviction of illegal settlers from beneath the bridge towards Dolphin Estate in Ikoyi.

Rotimi-Akodu said in total, 23 individuals were arrested during the eviction, which was carried out by officials of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, popularly known as KAI.

He said the exercise was part of ongoing clampdown on illegal structures across the metropolis and aimed to rid Lagos of environmental nuisance.

VANGUARD

Metro

Police Launch Manhunt As Assailants Kill 4 In Soludo’s Aide’s Community

Published

10 hours ago

December 9, 2025

Editor

Four persons – all male – were gunned down by unknown assailants in the Nawfia community in Njikoka Local Government Council Area of Anambra State.

Nawfia is the hometown of Chief Nwoye, popularly called Glamour, who is the Deputy Chief of Staff/Chief Protocol to Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo.

The community has become notorious in the news for the wrong reason, either bordering on fishy killings, shady land deals, or torn apart by chieftaincy and town union leadership tussles over the years.

Exactly a year after a similar shooting spree and killing engulfed the community, in which four men were feared shot dead.

A source told newsmen that unknown gunmen who operated in a black Lexus Jeep with a yet-to-ascertained registration number stormed Afor Nawfia Market and opened fire, presumably gunning down the four persons in the early hours of the evening of Sunday.

The shooting created pandemonium as bystanders and those who were within gunshot-hearing distance fled for their dear lives just as the gunmen sped off untraced.

A viral video, which our Correspondent monitored, shows the post-killing scene where lifeless bodies of four men lay in the pool of their blood after the shooting.

It was gory sights to behold as men and women as well as youths in the area lamented the killings which they described as one killing, too many.

Voices from the trending video identified some of the victims as “Ajigwo” and “Kalisia.”

The President-General of Nawfia Progressive Union, Chief Daniel Okoye, was swift in his reaction, expressing deep shock over the tragic news of the attack at the Afor Market Junction in Nawfia Community.

In a statement he issued on the incident and made available to newsmen shortly after the killings, he stated: “The incident resulted in multiple casualties, caused by unknown assailants who carried out this senseless act of violence.

“I strongly condemn this heartbreaking incident and the attempt to disrupt the peace of our beloved community. I have already contacted the relevant security agencies, and investigations are underway to uncover those responsible.”

Okoye appealed to the indigenes of the community “to remain calm, stay vigilant, and continue to cooperate with security operatives as they work tirelessly to restore normalcy and ensure our safety.”

The PG consoled the families affected by the dastardly act, assuring that “we are fully committed to supporting efforts aimed at protecting lives and maintaining peace in Nawfia.”

Also reacting to the dastardly act, the State Police Command linked the killings to cult-related activities, avoiding confirming any death incident resulting from the attack.

In a press statement issued by the State Police Command and made available to newsmen yesterday, the police update traced the killing to “cult-related attack that occurred on the evening of 7th December 2025 at Afor Nawfia Market, along the Onitsha–Awka Old Road.

“It will be recalled that operatives of the Command attached to the Special Anti-Cult Squad, Enugwu-Ukwu, had, four days earlier, acting on credible intelligence about a planned rival cult confrontation, arrested two dangerous suspects and recovered a firearm from them. The arrested suspects have been assisting the Police with valuable information aimed at preventing further cult-related violence within Awka and its environs.

“Despite these proactive efforts by the Command operatives, some members of the same gang, on the evening of 7th December 2025, operating in a black Lexus Jeep with registration number yet unknown, stormed Afor Nawfia Market and opened fire indiscriminately. The violent attack resulted in the fatal injury of four persons, after which the assailants fled the scene.

“Although the hoodlums escaped before police arrival, preliminary information obtained at the scene has provided useful leads, and the Command is already acting on them to ensure the perpetrators are tracked down and arrested.

“The Anambra State Police Command remains resolute in its determination to rid the State of cultism, violent crime and all forms of criminality. Further developments will be communicated as investigations progress,” the statement added.

Metro

Gunmen Invade Church, Kill Priest’s Wife In Anambra

Published

10 hours ago

December 9, 2025

Editor

An attempt by Anglicans in Lulu community, Ihiala Local Government Area, Anambra State, to worship on Sunday turned tragic as gunmen invaded the service, killing the wife of the presiding priest and injuring others.

The development was said to have unsettled the state, as a day earlier, some gunmen had allegedly attacked the Afor Market junction in Nawfia in Njikoka Local Government, killing some people.

Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command on Monday morning confirmed the attack on the church and the killing of the priest’s wife.

Spokesperson for Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, who confirmed the attack, said that many worshippers were injured.

He said that the Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, has condemned the attack.

He described those who carried out the attack as armed criminals, saying it resulted in one death and serious injuries inflicted on a few others.

Ikenga said: “The church building was partially burnt, and other properties were destroyed at a church premises in Lilu, Ihiala Local Government Area.

“The CP States that this heinous and abominable act, committed against innocent worshippers, is not only an assault on the community but a grave affront to our shared values of peace, sanctity of life, and freedom of worship.

“The command extends its deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and to the entire Lilu community and assures the public that the police shall relentlessly hunt down the perpetrators of this crime.

“The CP notes that no community should be subjected to such brutality as the command will not allow criminals to instil fear or destabilise the peace we are working tirelessly to maintain.”

Ikenga added that the command has intensified intelligence-driven operations, deployed the Joint Security Team, and strengthened surveillance across the area.

“The operatives are following every lead as no resource will be spared in ensuring that those responsible are apprehended and made to face the full weight of the law.

“The command urges residents to remain calm and cooperate with the Joint Security team by providing useful information that can assist ongoing investigations for justice to be served.

“The command remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting lives and property across Ihiala and the entire state”, he said.

In other news, the Delta State Command have arrested a principal suspect and his sidekick in the murder of retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwu in Anambra State.

The detectives also recovered her personal handset, vowing to arrest the named fleeing member of the killer squad.

She was murdered on November 23, 2025.

The Delta State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police (SP) Bright Edafe, said the arrest followed days of intelligence gathering.

Metro

Army Foils Robbery, Rescues Kidnap Victims, Recovers Weapons

Published

11 hours ago

December 9, 2025

Editor

Troops of the Nigerian Army’s 6 Brigade/Sector 3 Operation Whirl Stroke have foiled a robbery attack, rescued abducted travellers, and recovered weapons in a series of coordinated operations across Taraba State.

The operations were disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Brigade’s Acting Spokesperson, Lt. Umar Muhammad.

According to the statement, the first incident occurred on 6 December 2025 in Manya, Takum Local Government Area, where soldiers responded to a distress call after armed robbers barricaded the Manya–Takum Road and began dispossessing travellers.

“The troops launched a rapid clearance operation, forcing the criminals to flee and abandon their weapons. An AK-47 rifle, an AK-47 magazine, and three rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition were recovered. Their intervention restored safety and movement along the busy route,” the statement read.

In a separate mission in Kufai Amadu, also in Takum LGA, troops rescued two abducted travellers following reports that four men from Bauchi State were kidnapped in Amadu Town while seeking directions on their way to Baissa in Kurmi LGA.

“Preliminary findings revealed that two of the victims, identified as Mr. Musa Danji and Mr. Yusuf, were taken away by their abductors towards New City. Coordinated search operations led to the rescue of two others, Mr. Yusuf Musa and Mr. Muhammed Umar, who escaped from captivity. Search efforts for the remaining victims are ongoing,” the Army stated, adding that efforts to apprehend the perpetrators have been intensified.

In another operation on 6 December, troops deployed in Iware, Ardo-Kola LGA, recovered arms and arrested two suspects during an intelligence-driven raid in Garin Sambo, Tau Village. Items seized include two pump-action guns, 13 cartridges, two motorcycles, and four mobile phones. Two suspects, identified as Baba Wura Sambo and Mallam Adamu Darda, were arrested over alleged illegal possession of arms.

The Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Kingsley Chidiebere Uwa, commended the troops for their professionalism and swift response. He reiterated the Brigade’s commitment to sustained, aggressive operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks across the state.

Uwa also assured residents of heightened security throughout the Yuletide season and urged the public to remain vigilant while providing credible information to support ongoing efforts to maintain peace and security in Taraba.