News
Edo Police Nab 50 Hoodlums …DIG Reads Riot Act In Lagos
Edo State Commissioner of Police David Omojola has confirmed the arrest of more than 50 suspects in connection with the alleged violence and looting during the protest against the removal of fuel subsidy in the state.
Omojola told newsmen in Benin on Wednesday, that investigation into the violence would continue, but that commercial activities in the city had returned to normal.
According to reports, more markets, business centres and petrol stations had opened for business.
However, government offices and banks remain closed, but vehicular traffic and movement of people had improved.
Meanwhile the Movement for Democracy and Justice (MDJ) has appealed to the Federal Government to create an avenue for dialogue with the organised labour to bring an end to the ongoing industrial crisis.
Labour and civil society organisations began a nationwide strike on Monday following the removal of petrol subsidy by the Federal Government on January 1.
Mr Patrick Emiantor, National Secretary of the party, made the appeal yesterday in Abuja, in an interview with newsmen.
Emiantor said the protest had taken a new dimension in some parts of the country, and cautioned that the situation might degenerate into total breakdown of law and order.
“We are worried and our fear is that by the time the strike is allowed for too long, the present situation may degenerate into violence.”
The party scribe further advised government to implement the withdrawal of the subsidy in stages to ensure that Nigerians did not suffer untold hardship.
According to Emiantor, Nigerians are not used to extreme hardship and the implementation of this kind of policy must be in stages to cushion the pains of the removal of the subsidy.
“The government meant well for the people by initiating this policy but we are still advising that the policy can still prevail if the government will be able to shift ground for now.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), `A’ Department, Mr Azubuko Udah, said yesterday in Lagos that the police would not fail to enforce the law on anyone found threatening the rights of fellow Nigerians.
In an interview with newsmen, Udah warned that anyone caught setting up bonfires on the roads and causing violence would be arrested.
He, however, noted that no one had been arrested for such offences since the commencement of the protests on Monday.
Udah said he had been in the South-West to monitor the protests since Monday, adding that he had been to other states in the geo-political zone and that he was satisfied with the performance of the police.
The DIG also commended Labour leaders and other protesters for conducting themselves responsibly.
Udah, however, called on parents to warn their children and wards against violence to avoid dire consequences.
The DIG also warned police officers and men against reckless use of firearms, saying, “a Policeman is only allowed to use firearm when his life or the lives of others are being threatened.”
Udah, however, warned members of the public against any action that would compel the police to use firearms, stressing that all officers had been briefed on what was expected of them during crises.
The DIG noted that the ongoing protests against the subsidy removal posed a big challenge to the police.
He, however, assured members of the public of adequate security, throughout the period.
On the alleged killing in Lagos on Monday, he said that investigation was still ongoing.
The DIG urged the people not to panic over the alleged threat by the Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) to attack people from a part of the country.
Udah said that the police authorities were already aware of the speculation and had made special security arrangements accordingly.
He, however, advised the people concerned “to be security conscious and to report to the police every strange movement around them.’’
According to reports, the DIG had a closed-door meeting with Commissioners of Police in all the formations in Lagos State, as well as the AIG (Zone 2), to review the protest.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 1.63 million pills of tramadol concealed in two long trailers heading for Kano as it intensified efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria corridor.
The agency also arrested an 80-year-old suspected drug dealer in Rivers State, a businesswoman linked to cannabis shipments from Canada, a Chadian woman, a couple and other suspects in coordinated operations across Lagos, Edo, Kogi and Rivers states.
The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement, yesterday.
According to the statement, the latest intelligence-led operation came barely one week after NDLEA operatives recovered 558,900 pills of tramadol concealed in the false-bottom compartment of a truck that entered Lagos through the Togo-Benin Republic route.
Babafemi said, “Ongoing efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate smuggling tramadol from Togo, through Benin Republic into Nigeria have yielded another success with the interception of two long trailers used to move One Million Six Hundred and Thirty (1,630,000) pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in fabricated compartments of the trucks across multiple borders into Lagos.”
He added that one of the two trailers was intercepted on July 2 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where operatives recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor.
Babafemi said, “One of the two trucks already heading to Kano was tracked and located on 2nd July 2026 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway where NDLEA officers recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the trailer and arrested the 22-year-old driver Jabir Kabiru.”
He further disclosed that another trailer was intercepted two days later on the same route.
“Two days later, 4th July, NDLEA operatives acting on processed intelligence successfully tracked and recovered the second trailer from the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway while heading to Kano. A total of 777,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the truck were evacuated and the 22-year-old driver Muhammed Nuhu arrested,” the statement read.
According to Babafemi, investigations established a link between the three intercepted consignments.
He said, “Investigations revealed that all three trucks and consignments intercepted on 21st June, 2nd July and 4th July belong to the same transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria axis.”
The agency also intercepted 4.70 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
Babafemi said, “Two consignments of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, with a combined weight of 4.70 kilograms have been intercepted at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos. The cargoes, which arrived the Lagos airport from Canada in cartons with ‘Odugwu’ boldly written on them, came aboard British Airways and Ethiopian Airlines flights on 24th June and 3rd July respectively.”
He said two cargo agents, Ali Rotimi Samson and Orimolade Oluwagbenga, were initially arrested in connection with the shipments, while another suspect, Edeh Onyeamachi Stanislus, was apprehended after arriving at a logistics company to take delivery of the consignments.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has denied claims that it has commenced registration for a purported ?50,000 National Support Allowance.
The ministry, in a public notice posted on its official X handle, yesterday, described messages, links and websites advertising the alleged programme as fraudulent.
It urged Nigerians to disregard such claims and verify information only through official government channels.
“The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has NOT commenced registration for any ?50,000 National Support Allowance,” the ministry said.
It added, “Disregard fraudulent messages, links and websites claiming otherwise. Verify any info only through official govt channels.”
The alert is in response to a circulating scam flyer that falsely claims the program is ongoing under President Bola Tinubu’s directives.
The fake advertisement, which includes text in Hausa and English, directs victims to a suspicious website (kluspz.com) for applications.
The ministry’s warning comes amid heightened concerns over digital fraud targeting vulnerable populations seeking social support.
Similar scams have previously surfaced around programs like N-Power, prompting questions from citizens in replies to the official post.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed its preparedness for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, hinted at this while making his remarks at the commissioning of the Comrade Godwin Abumisi Pensioners Legacy House and Multipurpose Hall in Abuja.
Ajaero said it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.
He advised workers and pensioners to get prepared for the ideological and economic battles that lie ahead.
According to the NLC president, “The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) is one of the proud affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress. Therefore, your struggle is our struggle, and your welfare remains a priority for the organised labour movement.
“We are currently in the preparatory stages for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.
“However, let me state unequivocally that it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.
“Accordingly, the Nigeria Labour Congress will not only push for a new national minimum wage but will also demand the establishment of a national minimum pension. It is a historical injustice that men and women who devoted their youth, strength and productive years to the service of this nation should be condemned to live below the poverty line after retirement.”
Ajaero noted that the cost of living has risen astronomically as food, healthcare and transportation have become increasingly unaffordable.
“We cannot continue to allow our senior citizens to survive on pensions that have become poverty wages. Every retiree deserves to live with dignity after decades of faithful service to the nation,” he said.
He urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepared as the process begins, adding: “This Legacy House should not merely be seen as a physical structure; it should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead.”
The NLC president pointed out that the working class has always understood that “those who exploit workers are united in advancing their interests. We too must remain united in defending our collective interests and ensuring that government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.”
He urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepared as the process begins, adding: “This Legacy House should not merely be seen as a physical structure; it should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead.”
The NLC president pointed out that the working class has always understood that “those who exploit workers are united in advancing their interests. We too must remain united in defending our collective interests and ensuring that government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.”
He said the completion of the project should serve as a clarion call to all workers and lovers of the masses.
“We must not only build physical structures but also build a strong movement capable of compelling government to honour its commitments,” he said.
Ajaero further stated: “We will continue to demand the immediate payment of all outstanding pension arrears and the implementation of a pension regime that guarantees every retiree a life of dignity and security.
“Together, we shall continue to fight until every Nigerian worker and pensioner receives the justice, respect and welfare they deserve.”