Metro

Weeds, Faeces Take Over Abandoned 400- seater Lagos Theatre

Published

3 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

Police Arrest Mother, Daughter Over Alleged N18m Romance Scam

Published

1 hour ago

May 28, 2026

Editor

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, NPF-NCCC, have arrested a woman and her daughter over their alleged involvement in a romance scam that reportedly defrauded a Malta-based victim of more than N18 million.

The police disclosed that the arrests followed investigations into allegations bordering on computer-related fraud, identity theft, and money laundering after receiving intelligence from the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU.

In a statement issued by the Acting Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Uwana Imah, the suspects were identified as 39-year-old Urowhe Diana and her 22-year-old daughter, Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

According to the statement, preliminary investigations revealed that a Lagos resident identified as Emmanuel Amanfo, who is currently at large, allegedly collaborated with Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru to open and operate multiple bank accounts used in carrying out fraudulent transactions.

“One of the victims was identified as a resident of Malta whose identity has been withheld,” the statement said.

The police further disclosed that proceeds from the alleged romance scam were transferred through money transfer operators and direct deposits into several Nigerian bank accounts belonging to Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

Investigators also alleged that the funds were later moved into an Ecobank account owned by Urowhe Diana, where the money was allegedly spent.

According to the statement, forensic analysis of the suspects’ digital activities allegedly linked both mother and daughter to the cybercrime operation, leading to their eventual arrest.

The police added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend Emmanuel Amanfo, who was described as the husband of Urowhe Diana and stepfather of Rokibat Oluwasheyi Imoru.

“Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations,” the statement added.

The Nigeria Police Force reiterated the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to safeguarding Nigeria’s cyberspace and tackling cybercrime across the country.

The NPF-NCCC also urged members of the public to report suspicious cyber-related activities through its official online reporting portal and designated communication channels.

Metro

Edo Police Arrest Two Suspected Cultists

Published

19 hours ago

May 27, 2026

Editor

The Edo State Police Command on Wednesday said two suspected cultists were arrested in Ohonre community, off Adolor College Road, Benin.

This was disclosed in a statement by the command Public Relations Officer, Eno Ikoedem, and made available to newsmen electrically.

Ikoedem said the arrest was possible due to operatives response to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

The statement reads: “The Edo State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough following the swift disruption of a suspected cultists’ gathering in Ohonre Community, off Adolor College Road, Benin City.

“On 21st May, 2026, at about 19:00hrs, operatives attached to Ugbowo Division who were on surveillance patrol responded to a distress report concerning the movement and gathering of some suspected cult members within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police team mobilized to the location. On sighting the operatives, the suspects fled in an attempt to evade arrest. The operatives immediately gave them a hot chase, leading to the arrest of two suspects identified as Victor Peter ‘M’, 21 years and Iyemoma Ogbewe ‘M’, 35 years.

“A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of one cut-to-size gun believed to have been in their possession for unlawful purposes.

“Upon investigation, the suspects confessed to being members of the notorious Maphite cult group. Efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other fleeing gang members.”

She said the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, commended the swift response of the operatives and reiterated the Command’s resolve to deny criminal elements any opportunity within Edo State.

He further urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police, assuring that all reports would receive prompt attention.

Metro

Troops Eliminate Two Terrorists, Foil Pipeline Attack

Published

2 days ago

May 26, 2026

Editor

The Nigerian Army says troops have, in the last 24 hours, eliminated two terrorists, rescued four kidnapped victims and foiled pipeline attacks in a series of coordinated military operations across Taraba, Kogi and Rivers.

This is contained in operational updates issued to reporters on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to the reports, troops of 93 Battalion deployed at Akate in the Donga Local Government Area of Taraba engaged suspected terrorists in a forested area, killing two of them.

According to the report, items recovered from the scene include an AK-47 rifle, ammunition, magazines, mobile phones and other personal effects.

In Kogi, it said the troops of 21 Battalion, in collaboration with vigilantes, rescued four kidnapped passengers along the Anyigba–Itobe road in Ofu Local Government Area.

It added that the victims were reportedly abandoned by their captors while attempting to cross a seasonal stream due to sustained pressure from advancing troops.

According to the military, efforts are ongoing to rescue other victims still in captivity.

The report said that troops of 12 Brigade successfully repelled an ambush along Kabba–Okene road while withdrawing from an earlier operation, forcing the assailants to flee with gunshot wounds.

“Meanwhile, in Rivers, troops of 5 Battalion acting on credible intelligence, foiled an attempt by suspected vandals to detonate a crude oil pipeline in Ahoada West Local Government Area.

“The swift response of the troops disrupted the operation before it could be executed, with the suspects fleeing the scene,” it said.