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Underbridge Tenants: Lagos Govt Uncovers Identity Of Ring Leader

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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.

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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.

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“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.”

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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.

READ ALSO: VIDEO: Lagos Uncovers Another Under-bridge Apartment

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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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.”

READ ALSO: 86 Rooms Where Tenants Paid N250,000 A Year Found Under Lagos Bridge [VIDEO]

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.

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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.

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“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.”

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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.

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READ ALSO: [JUST IN] PICTURES: Hoodlums Clash In Lagos, Set Market On Fire

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.

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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.

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“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.

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

READ ALSO: NAF Kills Several Terrorists In Borno, Niger Airstrikes

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.”

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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.

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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.

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

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12 IDPs Suffer Snake Bites In Benue Camps

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No fewer than twelve Internally Displaced Persons from Agagbe camps in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State have suffered snake bite between January and now.

Terna Ibaah, also an IDP who spoke to our correspondent on Sunday from one of the camps in Agagbe, said that the latest victim was a 14-year-old Chagu Terhemen who was bitten by a snake last Friday without medical treatment.

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Ibaah said, “Snake has bitten Master Chagu Terhemen, 14 years, who was displaced from his village, Tse Abian, in the Sengev Council Ward of Gwer West LGA.

“The 14-year-old boy was going to the farm with his father, Tse Kyomke Mbapupuu, in Gaambe Ushin Council Ward when he was bitten by a snake.”

READ ALSO:VIDEO: Fire Averted As Fuel Tanker Explodes In Lagos

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He added that they had applied traditional treatment, but it seems not to be working, as the victim, as of Sunday afternoon, started convulsing.

He added that the fear of losing the young man necessitated the alarm raised, and added that the medical personnel only visit the IDP camps between Monday and Thursday.

When asked if there had been frequent snake bites of IDPs in Agagbe community, Ibaah said, “From January this year till now, we have recorded 12 victims of snake bites in Agagbe among the IDPs. Fortunately, no one has died.”

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READ ALSO:Katsina, UNDP To Return 270,000 IDPs To Ancestral Homes

Ibaah, who is also a displaced person who claimed that most of the victims of snakebite were being treated with traditional medicine, accused the representative of the State Emergency Management Agency in the camp of neglecting the victims of the snakebite.

“The camp manager said that they cannot treat him because he is not staying in the camp, but he knows that due to congestion in the camps, some of the registered IDPs stay with the host community. The victim registration number is 81XO1649,” Ibaah said.

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Ibaah said that there are five places where IDPs are camped in Agabe, namely, RCM Primary School, Sisters Convent, Saint Francis Secondary School, the old police station and Adzequa store, all in Agagbe and added that they were all congested.

READ ALSO:Varsity Bars Edo IDPs From Exams Over Non-payment Of Fees

When contacted, the Information Officer of SEMA, Tema Ager, said that the agency had a Memorandum of Understanding with the State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, where they could rush the patient for treatment.

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Ager said, “But SEMA has an MOU with the State University Teaching Hospital, where they can rush the patient for treatment.”

The Information Officer, however, said that as long as the victim is a registered IDP, he should be allowed to be taken for treatment at the Teaching Hospital.

 

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Mob Lynches Woman Over Alleged Blasphemous Utterance In Niger

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The Niger State command of the Nigeria Police Force has confirmed a lady, simply known as Ammaye, was burnt to death by a mob over an alleged blasphemous utterance against the Islamic faith before security reinforcement could arrive.

Spokesman of the Command, Wasiu Abiodun, who revealed this in a statement on Sunday, said efforts are ongoing to identify, arrest, and prosecute all those involved in the crime.

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Ammaye, a food seller, was lynched and set ablaze in Mariga Local Government Area of the state by suspected angry youths over alleged blasphemy against Prophet Muhammad.

According to eyewitnesses, the incident occurred at Kasuwan Garba in the council area, when the lady, a Muslim faithful and well-known food seller, was said to have engaged in an exchange of words with a young man said to be her nephew.

READ ALSO:Leader Of UK Christian Group Convicted Of Sexually Abusing Women

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The young man was said to have jokingly told Ammaye that he wanted to marry her to “fulfil the Sunnah”. The lady was said to have made comments considered blasphemous.

This was said to have outraged the young men in the neighbourhood. The matter was taken to the palace of the District Head of Kasuwan Garba, where the lady was interrogated, and she allegedly repeated what she had earlier said.

The District Head was said to have handed Ammaye over to security operatives for further investigation, but a crowd of agitated youths overpowered the security operatives, insisting on her immediate execution.

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It was learnt that before security reinforcement could arrive, the mob, made up of young men, had stoned Ammaye to death.

READ ALSO:Nigerian Man Pleads Guilty In US To $405,000 Romance Scam Against American Women

Niger State Police spokesman disclosed that the tragic incident occurred on 30th August, 2025, at about 2:00 pm.

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According to him, “a report was received that one Amaye, a female resident of Kasuwan-Garba in Mariga LGA, allegedly made some utterances considered offensive to the Islamic faith. Her comments quickly provoked anger among members of the community.

“Unfortunately, it led to a mob attack, and the woman was set ablaze before the reinforcement of security teams could arrive at the scene,” Abiodun stated.

READ ALSO:FG Security Agency, Nigerian Army Move To Tackle Illicit Small Arms, Light Weapons

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The spokesman said that while normalcy has since been restored to the area, the Police Command strongly condemns the act of jungle justice and assured that efforts are underway to identify, arrest, and prosecute all those involved in the crime.

Abiodun appealed to members of the public to remain calm, avoid taking the law into their own hands, and allow security agencies to handle sensitive matters in line with the provisions of the law.

The Chairman of Mariga Local Government, Abbas Adamu, who also confirmed the incident, reaffirmed that calm has since been restored to the area.

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Police Arrest Suspected Fake Lawyer In Ogun

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The Zone XI Police Headquarters has arrested a suspected fake lawyer identified as Emmanuel Odeh, parading himself as a qualified attorney for almost 10 years mostly in Lagos and Abuja.

According to The PUNCH, Odeh has been allegedly duping unsuspecting Nigerians under the guise of legal representation, estate agency, and public consultancy.

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This was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday by the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer, Ade Ogunyemi, who disclosed Odeh was arrested by operatives of the X-Squad Section of the Zone, led by ACP Akinloye Oyegade.

He explained that Odeh was arrested on Thursday at a court in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while appearing as counsel for a client.

READ ALSO:Police Arrest Kidnap Kingpin, Others In Benue

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Emmanuel Odeh was arrested on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at a court premises in Abeokuta, Ogun State, while standing as a legal representative for an unsuspecting client.

“ACP Oyegade stated that the self-acclaimed lawyer had been under investigation for impersonation and fraud.

“Investigations revealed that the suspect operated under the name A O EMMANUEL, LEGAL PRACTITIONER AND PUBLIC CONSULTANT,” the statement partly read.

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Ogunyemi said the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone XI Headquarters, Osogbo, Emuobo Ekokotu, urged Nigerians to always verify the authenticity of legal practitioners before engaging their services.

READ ALSO:Police Arrest Ex-Soldier, Four Others Over Armed Robbery, Kidnapping In Anambra

AIG Ekokotu described the case as another clear example of why Nigerians must be vigilant.

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This case underscores the dangers of dealing with unverified legal practitioners.

“Victims of such impostors risk losing their hard-earned money, suffering inadequate legal representation, having their cases compromised, and even facing damage to their reputation,” he said.

He warned that the police will not hesitate to bring impersonators to justice.

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READ ALSO:Two US Pastors Arrested In $50m Human Trafficking, Fraud Case

This incident should serve as a deterrent to criminal-minded individuals who falsely present themselves as lawyers in order to exploit innocent citizens.

“The long arm of the law will always catch up with them,” Ekokotu stated.

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Ogunyemi confirmed that the suspect would be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

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