Metro

Weeds, Faeces Take Over Abandoned 400- seater Lagos Theatre

Published

2 years ago

August 24, 2023

Weeds and faeces have taken over the 400-seater Lagos State Theatre located in the Oregun area of the state, which was destroyed by protesters during the EndSARS agitation.

It was gathered that all installations in the theatre that were meant to promote tourism, hospitality, entertainment, and the arts together with sports had been looted, with the facilities being overrun by faeces.

The theatre which was unveiled on April 24, 2019, by former President Muhammadu Buhari has remained fallow for three years since the destruction.

The PUNCH correspondent who visited the theatre, which was built by the administration of former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, on Tuesday, observed that the entire premises, including the security building before the entrance into the theatre, had become a dumpsite.

It was also observed that the foyer between the three-apartment restroom and the staircase that led to the theatre itself was littered with faeces with stench oozing from the area.

When The PUNCH correspondent strolled into the main theatre, it was observed that a part of the roofing along the passage was dangling and nearing collapse, while the entire place was bushy.

A resident of the area identified simply as Azeez, who frequents the premises, claimed that the lootings were perpetrated by some miscreants during the protest after the place had been abandoned by the government.

“These two big slabs were where the generators used to be located. They removed all the engines and left the shed. The government only came here to take away empty soundproofing. There is nothing anyone can do to stop them. A lot of things happened.

“The soldiers and the policemen even came here at a point. Most of the installations were stolen during the protest. Some people from the ministry would come and take pictures and go. But nothing has happened since the building was burnt,” Azeez told PUNCH Metro on Tuesday.

Speaking with our correspondent on Tuesday, the spokesperson for the State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Wunmi Seriki, dismissed the claim that the theatre had been abandoned, stating that the contract for the renovation of the building had been awarded.

“The theatre has not been abandoned. We are about to take action on the place. It is about to be renovated. It has been contracted out already. Work will soon start there.

“Although I cannot confirm the exact date, I can assure you that work will soon commence. I will let you know at a later date. We are aware that some of the installations and facilities have been vandalised since the time of the EndSARS,” she said.

However, the spokesperson for the State Ministry of Works, Mr. Odunuga, was not available to confirm this as of the time this report was filed.

Meanwhile, corroborating Seriki on the renovation of the theatre, the Chief Press Secretary to the State Governor, Mr Gboyega Akosile, said the reconstruction of the theatre would begin in earnest.

“It is still on the table. I cannot give you a timeline, but something will be done about the theatre soon. Don’t forget that it was not the only place that was vandalised at the time. They burnt a lot of the BRT buses,” Akosile said.
PUNCH

Metro

Abducted NDLEA Director In Anambra Rescued — Police

Published

20 hours ago

June 22, 2025

Editor

The Police Command in Anambra says the Director of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in the state, Mr Daniel Onyishi, who gunmen abducted on June 12, has been rescued.

The state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga, made this known in a statement on Sunday in Awka.

It would be recalled that Onyishi was abducted by unidentified persons along Winner Road, Awka, on June 12.

“He is currently in a safe custody and receiving medical attention,” Ikenga said.

According to him, the police, in collaboration with sister security agencies, especially the high-powered covert operations of the NDLEA, led by the Zone-12 Commander, Mrs Florence Ezeonye, complemented the aggressive rescue efforts.

He said the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Ikioye Orutugu, had briefed the police high command on the issue.

Ikenga also said that the commissioner had activated the Inspector General of Police’s directive to ensure the perpetrators were brought to book through a manhunt.

Metro

Owo Massacre: Tension In Ondo Over Govt Demolition Of Cenotaph Honouring Victims

Published

21 hours ago

June 22, 2025

Editor

Tension has gripped the ancient town of Owo in Ondo State following the demolition of a cenotaph erected in honour of victims killed in the terrorist attack on St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in 2022.

The cenotaph, constructed by the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to immortalize over 50 worshippers murdered during the tragic incident, was pulled down on the orders of the current administration, led by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa. The move has sparked mixed reactions across the state.

A viral video circulating online shows bulldozers tearing down the monument and adjoining structure where the names of the slain victims were inscribed, drawing public outrage and rekindling painful memories of the gruesome massacre.

Sources revealed that the decision followed persistent complaints from residents of Owo, particularly over the cenotaph’s location — directly opposite the palace of the Olowo of Owo, the town’s paramount traditional ruler. Critics had earlier described the location as a violation of Yoruba customs, referring to it as a cultural taboo.

While many residents welcomed the demolition, calling it a necessary cultural correction, others accused the state government of playing politics with the memory of the slain worshippers. Some alleged that Governor Aiyedatiwa was attempting to erase the legacy of his late predecessor.

Defending the decision, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ebenezer Adeniyan, said the demolition was a response to a formal request from the Olowo-in-Council, who argued that the cenotaph’s location was spiritually inappropriate.

“It was a special request from the palace of the Olowo, as it is said to be against culture and tradition to site such a symbol of death near the palace — the sacred seat of life and authority in Owo,” Adeniyan explained.

He emphasized that the action was not an act of desecration but an effort to “restore cultural balance.” He also disclosed that a modern market would be constructed on the site, while the cenotaph would be respectfully relocated within the town.

Adeniyan assured residents that the government remains committed to preserving the memory of the victims and would soon begin work on a new memorial at a more appropriate location.

It will be recalled that on June 5, 2022, gunmen stormed the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Owo during a Sunday Mass, killing over 50 worshippers — including children — and injuring many others in one of Nigeria’s deadliest church attacks.

Metro

NDLEA Arrests Woman With Cocaine En route To India For ‘Fibroid Surgery’

Published

23 hours ago

June 22, 2025

Editor

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have arrested a 43-year-old makeup artist, Adekoya Adebukonla Mary, at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, for attempting to smuggle 2.20 kilograms of cocaine to India under the guise of traveling for fibroid surgery.

Spokesperson for the agency, Femi Babafemi, disclosed that Adekoya was arrested on Monday, June 16, 2025, after a surveillance operation based on credible intelligence. She was allowed to check in her luggage and was apprehended at the boarding gate of a Qatar Airways flight to India via Doha.

Upon inspection, officers discovered two large parcels of cocaine factory-fitted into the walls of her suitcase. Adekoya later confessed she was promised financial rewards and falsely claimed she was traveling for a medical procedure.

Further investigations linked the illicit shipment to a drug baron, Akeem Ayinde Adekanbi, said to be the owner of Rockford Hotel in the Sango area of Ogun State. He is currently at large.

In other operations, NDLEA officers from the Directorate of Operation and General Investigation (DOGI) intercepted 1.3kg of Loud, a potent strain of cannabis, concealed in sewn female dresses heading to Bahrain via courier. In a separate case, 850 grams of cocaine hidden in cloth hangers were intercepted en route to Australia.

In Bauchi State, NDLEA arrested Ibrahim Galadima (37) and Ibrahim Muhammed (28) on the Bauchi–Darazo road with over 1 million opioid pills, including tramadol, diazepam, and exol-5.

In Kaduna, Bishir Isyaku (38) was caught with 14.2kg of skunk and 198kg of rubber solution concealed in sacks of charcoal on June 17.

In the Federal Capital Territory, six suspects, including Murtala Adamu and Ahmed Ismai’l, were arrested in raids at Karu Abattoir and Torabora areas. 6.9kg of skunk and 59 grams of methamphetamine were recovered.

Along the Zaria-Kano road in Kano State, multiple suspects were arrested, including Umar Hamisu (19) and Dahiru Abdullahi (32) with 56.2kg of skunk, and Obiwuru Henry (27) with 23,720 capsules of tramadol and 1,400 ampoules of pentazocine.

In Kwara State, a 22-year-old polytechnic student, Olotin Nifemi, notorious for supplying drugs to students, was arrested in Ilorin with 1kg of skunk.

In Edo State, NDLEA operatives raided Ugbada camp in the Uzebba forest of Owan West LGA, destroying 4,226.11kg of skunk and arresting Albert Shamaki (33). Another raid in Emado community, Esan West LGA, led to the arrest of Esther Abumere (28) and the recovery of assorted drugs like Colorado, Loud, Molly, and opioids. In Igueben LGA, Eko Gift (38) was arrested with 1.143kg of skunk.

NDLEA continued its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) initiative with sensitisation programs in schools across Jigawa, Nasarawa, Kogi, Kano, Enugu, and a visit to the Ooni of Ife in Osun State, promoting public awareness and drug demand reduction.

NDLEA Chairman and Chief Executive, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd.), applauded the operatives from MMIA, DOGI, and various state commands for their dedication.

“These arrests and seizures reflect a balanced approach between supply suppression and demand reduction. I commend our officers for their professionalism and resilience,” he said.

Investigations are ongoing, and efforts continue to track drug syndicates and dismantle distribution networks nationwide.