General
Lagos Governor Commissions New Police Post
By Dipo Olowookere
A new police post has been commissioned in the Ipaja area of Lagos State by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode.
Mr Ambode, who commissioned the police structure on Thursday, restated his commitment to protect and secure the lives and property of all residents of the State regardless of location, stressing that increased attention would be paid to suburb areas of the State.
The Governor said construction of the Police post in Ayobo-Ipaja, a Lagos suburb, was undertaken to combat robbery around boundary communities, stem the menace of land grabbers and confront security challenges around inter-state boundaries.
Mr Ambode, represented by the State Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mr Seye Oladejo, said that the completion of the police post will provide an enabling environment for the police to effectively perform the duty of stemming the menace of criminals such as armed robberies, kidnapping, rape, cultism and gang war among others in and around the community.
According to him, “The determination of this administration to ensure a well secured State that will be unsafe for criminals and their allies had informed the huge investment on security related issues, like the provision of modern security equipment, vehicles and structures to strengthen the crime fighting capacity of security agencies, as well as ensure their mobility within the nooks and crannies of the State”.
He called on the security officials that would be manning the police post to exercise due care and diligence in carrying out their duties of securing lives and properties, urging them to ensure that the rights and dignity of citizens are not in any way violated.
Also speaking during the commissioning, the Lawmaker representing Ipaja at the State House of Assembly, Mr Bisi Yusuf, said that the actualization of the dream of the police post was a demonstration of a true government of inclusiveness promised by Governor Ambode.
He added that if the proposal to enact laws in support of neighbourhood watchers across the State is eventually approved, Lagos State would become a reference point of a secured State and a no-go area for perpetrators of crimes.
The Sole Administrator of Ayobo Ipaja LCDA, Mr Abiodun Agbaje, urged residents of the area to assist the police officers by giving them necessary cooperation and living in peace with one another.
While pleading for the display of high level of professionalism and respect for human rights among officials of the force, Mr Agbaje said the Governor has proved beyond doubt his commitment to security of lives and properties of Lagosians with several interventions in nipping in the bud the activities of criminal elements in some parts of the State.
The DPO in charge of the police post, ASP Chinedu Chineze, described the provision of a Police Post by Lagos State as timely and a relief to the community, stressing that the provision of patrol vehicles would further make the work of security men in the area seamless.
Chairman of the Community Development Association, CDA of the area, Mr Aderibigbe Adesanya, commended the State Government for providing the police post to enhance security in the district.
By Dipo Olowookere
Nigeria’s Vice President, Mr Kashim Shettima, will run as the vice-presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.
President Bola Tinubu retained Mr Shettima as his running mate for re-election next year, according to the National Chairman of the APC, Mr Nentawe Yilwatda.
In a post on Friday on X, the ruling party chairman described this as “another significant milestone in the journey of our great party.”
He also said it reaffirms the party’s collective resolve to sustain the Renewed Hope Agenda and deepen the progress already being recorded across the country.
It was gathered that Mr Tinubu submitted his presidential nomination forms today through his Special Adviser on Political and Other Matters, Mr Ibrahim Masari.
The submission was done ceremony at the Continental Hotel, Abuja, attended by several party chieftains, including The event brought together an impressive array of leaders of our great party, including the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Mr Hope Uzodimma; Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State, Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State, Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa State, as well as other governors, party executives and critical stakeholders from across the federation.
“The All Progressives Congress remains focused on strengthening its grassroots support, consolidating the achievements of the Renewed Hope Agenda and working together to build a more prosperous, secure and inclusive Nigeria for all,” the party leader stated.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The pupils and teachers abducted in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State have regained their freedom after 56 days in captivity.
The development was disclosed on Friday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on X. He revealed that eight of the kidnappers have been arrested and are now in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), while some others were neutralised during the operation.
“Finally, all the kidnapped pupils and teachers in Oriire, Oyo have been rescued by our security agencies,” he wrote.
He said no concession was made to the terrorists to secure the freedom of the abducted pupils and teachers.
Mr Onanuga explained that the kingpin whose release the kidnappers had demanded was neither freed nor spared, as he remains under prosecution for offences linked to his terrorist activities.
The abductions occurred on May 15, 2026, when armed men attacked three schools: Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School, in the Esiele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area.
No fewer than 39 pupils and seven teachers, including a principal, were taken during the attacks. During the attack, a teacher, Mr Joel Adesiyan, was killed while attempting to escape.
Another teacher, Mr Michael Oyedokun, was reportedly beheaded in the kidnappers’ den.
The terrorists holding the victims had reportedly made a four-point demand before agreeing to free the captives, including the release of detained terrorist commanders, payment of ransom, two Hilux vehicles and the implementation of Sharia-related law.
The Oyo State Government had consistently maintained that no ransom would be paid to secure the release of any victims.
The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) embarked on a month-long strike in the state to press for the victims’ rescue before suspending the action in July.
It also drew federal intervention, with military and police authorities repeatedly assuring Nigerians that operations to secure the victims’ freedom were ongoing.
The President’s spokesperson said that security agencies would soon provide a comprehensive account of the operation.
By Adedapo Adesanya
The board of the ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) has approved a $260 million financing package for the construction of a 123-kilometre section of the Trans-Saharan Highway in Nigeria as part of more than $417 million earmarked for strategic projects across West Africa.
The approval was granted during the bank’s 99th Ordinary Session, chaired by its President, Mr George Donkor, according to a statement issued after the meeting. It was noted that the total financing will support five public and private sector projects spanning infrastructure, healthcare, housing, mining, financial resilience and regional connectivity.
EBID said the approved investments underscore its commitment to funding high-impact projects that drive economic growth, create jobs and improve living standards across the sub-region.
“The projects approved during this 99th Board Session demonstrate EBID’s unwavering commitment to financing development solutions that directly improve the lives of West African citizens.
“From clean energy and transport infrastructure to healthcare, housing and financial sector resilience, these investments will strengthen regional competitiveness and support sustainable and inclusive growth across our community,” said Mr Donkor.
That of Nigeria is to improve connectivity, facilitate trade, reduce logistics costs and support economic integration; West African CFA franc (XOF) 10 billion in a line of credit to Banque de l’Habitat de Côte d’Ivoire (BHCI) to expand housing finance and support SMEs operating across the housing and construction value chain; €80 million for the design, construction, equipment and maintenance of the 150-bed Regional Hospital of Ferkessédougou in Côte d’Ivoire under a public-private partnership;
XOF 12.82 billion (West African CFA Franc) for the renovation, operation and maintenance of the Symphonie Building in Abidjan under a public-private partnership and $47.4 million for Azumah Resources Ghana Limited to finance the procurement of long-lead process plant equipment and critical early-stage development activities for the Black Volta Gold Project.
“These approvals advance EBID’s Growth, Resilience and Optimisation (GRO) Strategy, which prioritises transformative infrastructure, human capital development, private sector growth and regional integration. Through these investments, the Bank continues to promote sustainable development and shared prosperity across West Africa,” the statement said.
