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Ikorodu Roads Deadlier than Badoo Cultists—Security Expert
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Before now, Ikorodu, a suburb of Lagos State, was always in the news because of the dreadful acts of the notorious Badoo cult group, which invaded residents’ homes and use pestle to smash victims’ heads to death.
But a foremost security outfit, Halogen Security Company Limited, has said the deplorable state of roads in the developing town is deadlier than the Badoo cult group.
As a result, the firm has appealed to federal government to urgently come to the rescue of residents in Ikorodu area of Lagos State.
According to the organization, the traumatic experience of commuters on the Ikorodu-Shagamu road on a daily basis, coupled with the social problems they’ve had to endure in recent times were too much to bear.
“I think it is high time the government recognized the extreme risks commuters on the Ikorodu-Shagamu road are exposed to and act immediately.
“It is now commonplace for thieves, kidnappers, rapists and other criminal elements to lodge themselves in the worst portions of the roads where all vehicles practically come to a halt and carry out their nefarious activities especially at night.
“I cannot but agree with those who call that road a death trap. I dare say that the Ikorodu road at the moment is deadlier than the Badoo cultists that ravaged the communities a few months ago, Managing Director of Halogen, Mr Wale Olaoye, disclosed in a statement issued in Lagos on Monday.
Mr Olaoye lamented the fact that besides the dire security risks, the bad roads affect in no small way, the economic conditions in that axis.
“Commercial activity will suffer there because goods and services will be in short supply leading to price increases in virtually all consumer items.
“Vehicle owners cannot use their vehicles optimally as the many potholes and detours mean that vehicles keep breaking down and they end up at mechanics’ workshop at the end of most journey.
“The implication of this is that commuters plying that road are exposed to safety risk, health risk and their livelihood is also affected,” he said.
The security expert further emphasized that the presence of a number of federal and state institutions on the road, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC), 174 Battalion Army Barracks, the Lagos State Polytechnic, Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) and many others, including major industrial companies explains the high density of vehicular movement on the road with associated security and enterprise risks.
Mr Olaoye advised the government to set up a think tank to develop a national security and enterprise risk policy to guide with short – and long-term strategies for improving the safety and security of the nation’s assets and its people.
“We can have a formula that looks at the management of our infrastructure from three perspectives. First is ‘Natural Events’ (Potential Disasters) such as flooding etc. Here we can analyse its frequency and severity based on actuarial data and it can be mitigated through sensors, design, and response.
“Next is what we call ‘Unintentional Events’ (Failures, Incidents). This can be gauged also by its frequency and severity based on experience and it can be managed through design, training, and response.
“The third perspective is that of ‘Intentional Attacks’ (Acts of sabotage, Vandalism). Here the frequency and severity is difficult to predict but it still can be mitigated through security, design, and response.
“Dilapidated roads affect both security and performance of a transportation system. There are a number of rehabilitation techniques that can both reduce the rate of aging of a structure and in turn, improve their security.
“We can utilize technology that would undoubtedly improve the government’s ability to effectively analyse its infrastructural assets and allocate resources to those that are most vulnerable,” Mr Olaoye submitted.
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A hotline number, 0800 123 5264, for Nigerians to report any MRS Oil Nigeria Plc filling stations selling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, above the approved pump price of N739 per litre, has been released by Dangote Petroleum Refinery.
The private refiner said the number was now active nationwide, enabling consumers to promptly report violations and help maintain fair pricing across over 2,000 MRS stations.
This measure follows the refinery’s recent commencement of nationwide PMS sales at N739 per litre—a strategic intervention aimed at stabilising fuel prices and easing the financial burden on Nigerians during the festive season.
“We encourage Nigerians to avoid purchasing PMS at inflated prices when locally refined fuel is available at N739 per litre.
“Report any MRS station selling above this price by calling our hotline. Together, we can ensure that the benefits of this price reduction reach every consumer,” the company stated in a statement.
The organisation stressed its mission to deliver affordable, high-quality fuel while safeguarding national economic interests, reaffirming its commitment to steady supply, backed by a guaranteed daily output of 50 million litres, and warned against attempts to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply.
Regulatory authorities have been urged to remain vigilant and take decisive action against unpatriotic practices.
By refining locally at scale, Dangote Refinery is reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imports, conserving foreign exchange, stabilising the Naira, and strengthening energy security. This initiative represents a significant milestone in the country’s journey toward sustainable energy solutions and economic recovery.
The refinery also issued a stern warning against attempts by unscrupulous operators to create artificial scarcity in response to the price reduction, calling on government agencies to act decisively.
“Any attempt to create artificial scarcity or manipulate supply to frustrate recent price reductions is unpatriotic and unacceptable. We urge regulatory authorities to remain vigilant and take firm action against such practices, especially during this critical festive period,” the statement added.
Consumers were advised to resist purchasing fuel at inflated prices when cheaper, high-quality alternatives are readily available.
By Bon Peters
The Airport Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at Omagwa Rivers State has praised the Customs Area Controller for Customs Area 1 Command, Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku.
At the end-of-the-year party attended by stakeholders, including the leader of the association’s chapter, Mr Charles Onyema, said the customs officer has done well in stakeholder engagement and trade facilitation.
At the event held last Friday, he said his association has been enjoying a very cordial relationship with other organisation in the ecosystem.
“You can see what is happening today, everybody is working together and our operations here are seamless,” he noted.
He stated that apart from creating a very robust business environment for his members and other stakeholders to operate, he has taken a decision to build and commission a befitting ANLCA Secretariat which would be completed soon and be commissioned by the ANLCA national president, Mr Emenike Nwokeoji.
The ANLCA chapter chief said since “Comptroller Salamatu Atuluku assumed office at Customs Area 1, Port Harcourt Command, it has been a different ball game, facilitating trade and increasing Revenue generation.”
“I remember I told her she was a mother during her maiden visit to the airport.
“You know when you have a woman in charge of an affair, food will not lack, compassion will not lack and motherly love will not lack.
“She is very wonderful in stakeholder engagement, revenue generation and trade facilitation,” Mr Onyema enthused.
Projecting into the future, Mr. Onyema said the year 2026 would be better for his members, adding that he has advised them on financial discipline which he said would help them during the trying period.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The federal government has declared Thursday, December 25, and Friday, December 26, 2025, as public holidays to mark Christmas and Boxing Day respectively.
The government also declared Thursday, January 1, 2026, for the New Year celebration.
The declaration was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Mrs Magdalene Ajani, on behalf of the Minister of Interior, Mr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
According to the statement, the Minister urged Nigerians to reflect on the values of love, peace, humility and sacrifice associated with the birth of Jesus Christ.
Mr Tunji-Ojo also called on citizens, irrespective of faith or ethnicity, to use the festive season to pray for peace, improved security and national progress.
He further advised Nigerians to remain law-abiding and security-conscious during the celebrations, while wishing them a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Business Post reports that on these public holidays – the foreign exchange market, the Nigerian Exchange (NGX), as well as the NASD Over-the-Counter (OTC) Securities Exchange will not open to trade.
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