How A Parcel Containing Bullets Was Delivered To FirstBank's MD, Olusegun Alebiosu

The Lagos State Police Command has commenced investigation into a suspicious parcel containing live ammunition delivered to the Managing Director of FirstBank, Oluwasegun Alebiosu.

Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, CP Fatai Tijani, who disclosed this during a press briefing today at the Command headquarters, said detectives had commenced investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the delivery.

The incident, according to the police boss, was reported on May 7, 2026, after the FirstBank MD discovered two rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition concealed inside a package delivered to him.

CP Tijani said the parcel was initially received by the executive’s security guard before it was handed over to him.

The Command boss said: “The Managing Director reported the matter to the police after discovering two rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition in a parcel collected on his behalf.

“The case is still under investigation, and we are treating it with the seriousness it deserves,” he said.

It was gathered that the delivery came shortly after the bank intensified internal reforms aimed at improving efficiency in financial transactions and stepped up efforts to recover outstanding loans from customers who had allegedly defaulted on repayment obligations.

Sources familiar with the incident said the parcel was delivered to Alebiosu’s residence in the Ikoyi area of Lagos through a dispatch rider.

The package was reportedly marked confidential and bore only the recipient’s name and address, with no information identifying the sender.

According to the commissioner, no arrest had been made in connection with the incident, adding that investigators were pursuing several leads.

Tunji added that detectives are also examining information provided by the complainant regarding persons who may have knowledge of or involvement in the matter.

He noted that forensic and intelligence-led investigations were ongoing to establish the source of the parcel and identify anyone connected to the delivery.

The commissioner assured residents that the command would provide updates as the investigation progresses.

The incident comes amid heightened concerns over the security of corporate executives and other high-profile individuals in the country.

  

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Police Shooting Of Truck Driver Over N500 Bribe Along Ikorodu Road: Victim And DPO Render Conflicting Accounts

A commercial truck driver is battling to save his leg after he was shot by a police officer at a checkpoint along the Ketu-Epe-Ikorodu Road in Lagos.

The victim, Peter Francis, was returning home from work on June 12, 2026, when officers attached to the Ketu-Ereyun Divisional Police Station stopped his vehicle.

According to his lawyer, Olatunji Ajayi, Francis complied after officers instructed him to switch on his vehicle’s interior light.

He noted that an officer identified as Ibrahim allegedly demanded a ₦500 bribe, but Francis explained that he had spent his remaining cash on food, which was on the back seat of the Toyota Corolla.

“Without any provocation, a police officer identified as Ibrahim, who was part of the team, opened fire on the vehicle occupied by Mr. Peter Francis and his friend. One of the bullets struck Mr. Peter Francis in the leg, causing severe injuries and leaving him in excruciating pain,” the lawyer said.

He further alleged that the “officers fled the scene immediately after realising Francis had been hit,” leaving the injured driver without assistance.

The gunshot reportedly attracted military personnel attached to the Lagos State Food and Logistics Hub, who “pursued the fleeing officers to their nearby police station, brought them back to the scene and directed them to take the victim to the hospital.”

According to him, Francis was allegedly turned away by two hospitals before he was eventually admitted to the 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Yaba, where he underwent emergency surgery.

The Lagos Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO(, Superintendent of Police Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the shooting but stated that the official police narrative differs significantly from the version being presented by the victim and his lawyer.

“The officers involved have been detained for further questioning,” she said.

When asked about a meeting between the victim’s lawyer and Lagos State Commissioner of Police Fatai Tijani, as well as a petition filed on the matter, she said, “I cannot confirm that now.”

The Divisional Police Officer of the Ketu-Ereyun Divisional Police Station, CSP Kalu Chijioke, countered the lawyer’s account, claiming instead that the victim is a criminal suspect.

“On June 12 at about 21.10hrs, our officers were on a stop and search duty opened because of a government school close by. We are on the Lagos-Ogun border.

“This driver came in with a Camry (Muscle) with a female passenger in the driver seat. And according to the account of the senior officer who led the team, ASP Oguniyi said the vehicle was stopped and he complied.

“When he was approached, he sped off knocking down Oguniyi, brushing another and was rushing towards Corporal Tijani Ibrahim to ram him down, using the vehicle as a weapon, before the latter shot,” the DPO stated.

According to the DPO, Corporal Ibrahim fired at the speeding car, with the bullet ultimately striking Francis in the lower part of his knee.

“This is a case of attempted murder and assault of a police officer in his line of duty and unlawful possession of substances suspected to be illicit drugs,” the DPO in his account hinted.

Denying claims that his men fled the scene, CSP Kalu maintained that the officers immediately began arranging to transport the wounded driver to the hospital. According to him, a group of the victim’s colleagues (“motor boys”) soon stormed the station threatening to burn it down.

“That was when the soldiers accosted them to ask if our officers needed help—which was politely rejected—noting that the situation was immediately contained and that medical attention was provided to the victim,” Kalu said.

The DPO also confirmed that Francis was subsequently taken to two different hospitals, both of which refused to admit him, before he was finally accepted at the military hospital based on his intervention.

He then detailed the events that followed, lasting until Friday, as police struggled to secure the victim’s official statement and account of the incident.

“The records are there. He was referred from the first hospital to another, which refused to admit him. The victim’s life was the priority, and that was when I contacted the military hospital where he was eventually operated on. In fact, when we were unable to get an ambulance, we used our patrol vehicle.

“It was the 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Yaba, that admitted him, and he underwent surgery there. After the necessary tests, I donated blood and even made payment so his treatment could continue.

“All efforts to obtain personal statements from the lady and the victim after treatment have been futile as we speak.

“We’ve also spoken to the lawyer who came here and told him to give his client a statement form to fill out now that the incident is still fresh in his memory and he has received medical attention, but he refused.

“Our concern is that he gets better. Only then can we take the case to trial,” he said.

However, Francis’ lawyer stressed that his client was a law-abiding citizen returning from work and had documents proving his delivery assignment.

“Mr. Peter Francis is not a criminal suspect,” he said.

He disclosed that the shooting has left Francis unable to move the affected leg, with doctors recommending reconstructive plastic surgery to repair damaged blood vessels.

According to the lawyer, the financial burden includes: “₦1,126,600 in outstanding medical bills already incurred at the military hospital and ₦10 million estimated for corrective plastic surgery.”

The lawyer stated, “The total medical cost is estimated at more than ₦11.1 million.”

The lawyer also confirmed that the Divisional Police Officer of the Ketu-Ereyun Divisional Police Station, CSP Kalu Chijioke, visited Francis in hospital, donated blood, and transferred ₦400,000 to the victim’s bank account on June 15, 2026.

“The Divisional Police Officer… donated blood to Mr. Peter Francis and personally transferred the sum of ₦400,000 into his personal bank account. This conduct further suggests an acknowledgment of responsibility for the incident,” he stated.

However, he insisted that the gesture does not absolve the Nigeria Police Force of responsibility.

He called on the police authorities to cover all medical expenses, rehabilitation costs, and compensation for the victim.

“In the circumstances, we respectfully call on the Nigeria Police Force to take full responsibility for the treatment, rehabilitation and all medical expenses incurred by Mr. Peter Francis as a result of the reckless and unlawful shooting of an unarmed and innocent civilian by one of its officers.

“Justice must be done, and adequate compensation must be provided to Mr. Peter Francis for the physical, emotional and financial trauma he has suffered,” the lawyer also concluded.

 

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Panic As Bomb Explosion Hits Mushin, CP Tijani Urges Calm

Toyota sienna involved in the explosion

 

The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed that an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) explosion occurred in the Mushin commercial area of the state, leaving one person injured.

The incident, which triggered panic among traders and residents, happened at the Shoe Materials Market in Mushin, a busy commercial hub in Lagos.

Police authorities said Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) operatives were immediately deployed after reports of an explosion were received.

The area was subsequently cordoned off and thoroughly searched to prevent any further security threats.

Preliminary findings indicate that the explosive device was allegedly planted under a vehicle and detonated when the engine was started.

Confirming the development at the scene, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fatai Tijani, said swift action was taken to secure the environment.

“We promptly deployed our EOD team after receiving reports of an explosion. The area was cordoned off and thoroughly searched,” he said.

He added that early investigations pointed to the use of an Improvised Explosive Device.

“The IED was under the vehicle by the passenger side. It exploded when the vehicle was started,” Tijani stated.

The police boss confirmed that one person sustained injuries in the incident and was taken to hospital, where he is said to be in stable condition.

“There is no further threat in the area. After a detailed sweep by our EOD experts, no additional explosive devices were discovered,” he added.

He urged residents to remain calm and disregard rumours of widespread insecurity in Lagos.

“Members of the public should go about their normal activities. The situation is under control,” he said.

Security operatives later recovered remnants of the explosive device, which have been taken for forensic analysis as investigations continue.

Also, the Baale of Oke Mushin Community, Mr Tajudeen Faronbi, said he was alerted during early morning prayers and immediately notified security authorities.

“Early this morning, around one o’clock, while I was praying, I received a call that something unusual had been seen. When I got there, I saw a vehicle and people were afraid to go near it,” he said.

Faronbi said the swift response helped prevent panic from escalating in the community, adding that the vehicle’s ownership and identity remain unknown.

 Improvised Explosive Devices have been a tool in the hands of terrorist organizations like Boko Haram and ISWAP. 

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How My Son Was Killed By Cultists In Ikorodu While My Wife Watched Helplessly - Father

Mr Tunde Bakare, father of 22-year-old tailor Abdulmalik, who was allegedly killed by suspected cultists during a violent attack in Oreta, Ikorodu, Lagos State, speaks with DANIEL AYANTOYE about the tragic loss of his son, the impact of the incident on his family, his quest for justice, and the need for stronger government action to curb recurring cult-related violence in the community

Your son was recently killed by suspected cultists. How did it happen?

Around 12 noon last Wednesday, a truck carrying a container arrived in the Ajebo area of Ikorodu. Some boys in the area demanded land money from the driver, but they were told that boys from Oreta had already collected the money for the container.

One of the boys who climbed the trailer fell, and he was run over. He died instantly.

Later, around 3 pm, I saw a crowd enter our area in Oreta. I was sitting outside my wife’s shop when I saw them. One of them was shouting, “We will kill all of you in Oreta today.”

I thought it was one of those usual threats, so I left when a job came up.

Around 6 pm, I called my son and he told me he was at home. I asked him to go and help his mother at the shop, which he did. By the time I returned, I was exhausted, so I went home and slept.

Around 8 pm, the cultists stormed our area and started shooting indiscriminately. They killed one person along the road and a disabled man outside my wife’s shop. They then entered the shop and shot my son dead.

My wife had stepped out to relieve herself, but by the time she returned, they had already shot him. She was then shot in the leg. Fortunately, their ammunition ran out at that point, which saved her from being killed.

How is your wife doing now?

She has received treatment and is recovering, but she has been crying constantly because she witnessed the death of her son. Many people have been trying to console her. She has to accept what has happened, and so do I.

When they asked me to go and identify my son’s body at the hospital, I refused. It is too traumatic for a parent to see the corpse of their own child. I asked a relative to handle it for me. I cannot bring myself to look at my son’s body.

Was your son connected to them in any way that made them target your shop?

No. My son did not know them, and we had nothing to do with them.

It was a man called Wasiu who invited the cultists into the area, and they started attacking anyone they saw. The boys from Ajebo were fighting over land-related issues and the money collected from trucks.

My son had nothing to do with any of them. He hardly went out. It was only that evening that he went to assist his mother at the shop. They were preparing to close when the attackers struck.

Where were you when it happened?

I was at home. When I returned from work, I was very tired and fell asleep. I was later woken up by noise and people banging on my gate. That was when I heard that my son had been killed.

They destroyed several shops in the area, including my wife’s shop. She sells soft drinks and other items. There was blood everywhere inside the shop. After it was cleaned, spent bullet shells were found scattered all over the place.

What is your occupation?

I am a businessman. I sell granite.

How many people carried out the attack?

Some of them arrived on five motorcycles, while others came in a tricycle. They appeared determined to kill anyone they could find, but many residents fled. Witnesses said the attackers were calling out the name “Ayana.”

What have the police done since the incident?

After the attack, my son’s body was taken to the mortuary at Ikorodu General Hospital, and the police launched an investigation. They have arrested six people so far, and the Divisional Police Officer promised a thorough investigation. The case has now been transferred to Panti.

Earlier that same day, after the boy was killed by the truck, the police came to our area with some of the boys involved. One of them openly said, “We are coming back tonight to kill you, people.” I even saw one of those boys being brought to the station that afternoon.

Are you sure those arrested were responsible for the attack?

The police are still interrogating them. Their findings will determine that.

Has your son’s body been released to you?

No. Not yet.

What reason were you given for the delay?

They said the body is being held for investigation. They want to conduct an autopsy and complete the process of charging and arraigning those arrested.

What do you want from this case?

I just want my son to be buried.

Don’t you want justice?

Yes, I want justice. You cannot kill someone and simply walk free in a society governed by laws. Every action has consequences.

The police told me that even if I decide not to pursue the case, they will continue with it and ensure justice is served. They said the matter is no longer just my concern but the government’s responsibility. Still, I want my son buried.

What is your community saying about the incident?

People have been visiting me constantly since it happened. Almost the entire community has come to see me.

What are they asking for?

They are pleading with me to allow the matter to be resolved amicably. They claim Wasiu knew nothing about the attack.

I reminded them that Wasiu himself reportedly said that his apprentice, the boy who was killed by the truck, had been killed and that others would follow. People who recorded him saying that confirmed it.

They later told me that he spoke in anger and didn’t mean what he said. I told them that he had already been arrested and was at Panti. The matter is no longer in my hands.

Tell us about your late son.

He was a calm and easy-going young man. He never liked troubling anyone.

He sat for the last UTME and scored 200. He wanted to attend a school in Ijebu-Ode, but when he got there, he discovered he did not have Economics, which was required for the Business Administration programme he wanted to study.

I paid N70,000 for him to register for another NECO so he could make up for the subject. He was waiting to write it.

Before leaving secondary school, he had learned tailoring because he planned to travel to Germany someday. While preparing for further studies, he continued working as a tailor. As a result, he was rarely at home. Even on the day he was killed, he had spent most of the day away.

His mother and I were also preparing for our Nikkah (Islamic marriage ceremony), which was scheduled for the following Sunday. He had been busy sewing clothes for his siblings. He came home, and then this tragedy happened.

Culled from the Punch 

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Lagos Moves Against Quackery In Health Sector, Intensifies Crackdown On Unlicensed Hospitals

    The Lagos State Government has intensified its crackdown on medical quackery, urging residents to support efforts to identify and report unlicensed healthcare facilities operating across the state.

The Executive Secretary of the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency, Victoria Egunjobi, made the appeal during a one-day awareness and sensitisation campaign held in Badagry to educate residents on the dangers of patronising unqualified healthcare providers.

Represented by the agency’s Director of Monitoring and Inspection, Olayinka Daniel, Egunjobi said protecting public health requires collaboration among government agencies, community leaders and residents.

She urged Lagosians to seek treatment only from healthcare facilities displaying the official HEFAMAA accreditation logo, noting that the emblem confirms that a facility has met regulatory standards and has been duly licensed by the state government.

According to her, the sensitisation campaign was organised to deepen public understanding of the agency’s statutory responsibilities, including the monitoring, inspection, accreditation and licensing of healthcare facilities across Lagos State.

“The essence of this programme is to enlighten residents of Badagry on the responsibilities of HEFAMAA, which include monitoring, inspection, accreditation and licensing of health facilities.

 This is aimed at ensuring that only qualified healthcare providers, in line with the provisions of Section 63 of the Lagos State Health Sector Reform Law, are allowed to operate in the state,” she said.

Egunjobi described medical quackery as a major threat to public health and safety, warning that preventable deaths caused by unqualified medical practitioners must not be allowed to continue.

“One life lost due to quackery is one too many,” she said.

She called on traditional rulers, market leaders, artisans, religious organisations, youth groups, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders to join the agency’s efforts to eliminate illegal medical practice in the state.

According to her, the campaign against quackery cannot be won by the government alone and requires active public participation.

“Ensure that you patronise only health facilities displaying the HEFAMAA logo.

“If you notice any facility operating without the logo, do not hesitate to report it. See something, say something, so that together we can win the battle against quackery,” she added.

As part of the campaign, HEFAMAA officials visited several locations in Badagry, including the Primary Health Centre, Ijanikin; Lagos Health District V Office; Badagry Local Government Secretariat, the palace of the traditional ruler of Badagry, Badagry General Hospital; Badagry Market, Badagry Roundabout Motor Park and the Lagos State University campus in Ojo.

At various locations, residents were educated on how to identify accredited healthcare facilities, and informational materials detailing HEFAMAA’s responsibilities and the risks associated with unlicensed providers were distributed.

The campaign forms part of the Lagos State Government’s broader efforts to strengthen healthcare regulation, protect residents from unsafe medical practices and improve access to quality healthcare services across the state.

  

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2026 junior WAEC Examinations Begin June 29 In Lagos - Ministry

The Lagos State Government has announced the schedule for the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination.

According to a statement shared on its official page, the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, through the Lagos State Examinations Board, said the examination will be held from “Monday, June 29, 2026, and conclude on Monday, July 6, 2026.”

The Registrar of the Lagos State Examinations Board, Mr. Adebayo Orunsolu, said the examination remains an important milestone in the academic journey of students in the state.

“The examination remains a significant academic milestone in the educational journey of students across the State,” he said.

He urged parents, guardians and school administrators to take note of the timetable and ensure strict compliance with all guidelines issued by the Board.

Orunsolu explained that the BECE serves as the transition examination for students moving from Junior Secondary School to Senior Secondary School in both public and approved private schools.

“The BECE serves as the official transition examination for students in public and approved private schools advancing from Junior Secondary School to Senior Secondary School,” he said.

He also stressed the need for adequate preparation, noting that schools are expected to ensure that all eligible candidates are fully ready and meet examination requirements.

The Registrar assured stakeholders that all administrative and logistical arrangements have been concluded to guarantee a smooth, transparent and credible examination process across the state.

Reaffirming the government’s position on examination integrity, Orunsolu restated the Lagos State Government’s zero-tolerance policy on malpractice.

He warned that any form of examination malpractice, disruption or misconduct would attract disciplinary sanctions in line with existing regulations.

  

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Tokunbo Wahab, Rhodes-Vivour Clash Over Waste Disposal In Lagos

A back-and-forth has ensued between the Lagos State Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, and the Labour Party Lagos State governorship candidate in the 2023 election, Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour.

This began after Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, issued a directive for the immediate scale-up of waste evacuation across the state following the recent buildup of refuse in some parts of the state.

“LAWMA, LASEPA, and the Ministry of Environment are currently working around the clock. We have deployed extra trucks and personnel to clear the backlogs across all affected neighbourhoods. You should already see progress on the streets, and we will not stop until our city is completely clean again,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Reacting, Rhodes-Vivour, who lost the 2023 election to Sanwo-Olu, described the governor’s directive as an admission of failure, not a solution.

Sharing on X, he stated that Lagosians do not need periodic emergency evacuations of mountains of refuse. “What they need is a functional waste management system that prevents waste from accumulating in the first place,” he said.

He lamented that for years, residents have endured overflowing dumps, uncollected refuse, blocked drainage channels, and worsening environmental conditions despite billions of naira allocated to environmental management.

“The fact that you now have to ‘direct an immediate scale-up’ after waste has already overwhelmed communities is an utter failure of leadership,” Rhodes-Vivour said.

Responding, Commissioner Wahab reminded Rhodes-Vivour of the humongous task Lagos faces in terms of waste collection.

He said Lagos generates about 13,000 tonnes of waste every day, adding that in May alone, LAWMA and PSP operators evacuated about 418,500 tonnes of waste across the state, averaging about 13,200 tonnes daily.

“That is not a small operation. It involves hundreds of PSP operators, public waste teams, transfer and disposal operations, street sweepers, enforcement teams, customer service staff, drivers, loaders, supervisors and monitoring officers working across a very large and difficult city,” Wahab said.

The commissioner further explained LAWMA’s efforts towards waste disposal, which he said had been scaled up, especially in blackspot areas.

Pushing back, Rhodes-Vivour demanded impact and not explanation, just as he accused Wahab of bigotry and demanded his resignation.

He said, “Mr. Wahab, Impact is felt, not explained in 1,578 words. Your plastic policy has failed. Your environmental policy, if one truly exists, has been ineffective. Your waste management policy has been an unmitigated disaster. The only area where you have consistently delivered is the demolition of the hard-earned properties and livelihoods of ordinary citizens. Not to mention your Bigotry and Gaslighting. You have lost the moral authority to remain in office. You should resign. Today.”

Displeased that Rhodes-Vivour called him a bigot, Wahab revealed that he had no interest in descending into the “mudslinging and distractions you appear to thrive on”, but is focused on supporting the efforts of the Lagos State Government to ensure the safety, well-being, and prosperity of Lagosians

He, however, called Rhodes-Vivour by his Igbo name, Chinedu, which was used against him during the 2023 election. Wahab then shared Rhodes-Vivour’s past social media posts, which promoted the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and also the defunct Biafra Republic

He concluded, “As for the labels and accusations, I will leave others to judge them on their merits. I have no intention of engaging in personal attacks or trading insults with a political nomad driven by ignorance and needless hatred. I wish you all the best.”

 

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Lagos NDC Crisis Deepens As Both Naheem Balogun And Funso Doherty Claim Candidacy For 2027 Governorship Election

The controversy surrounding the Lagos state chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC)  has deepened as two contenders for the governorship race in the state are now claiming to be the party’s authentic candidate for the 2027 general elections. A couple of days after Naheem Balogun,  assures his supporters that he remained the authentic governorship candidate of the party in Lagos, prominent politician, Funso Doherty, has accepted the nomination of the party as its candidate.

In an acceptance letter shared on his official X account on Friday, Doherty stressed humility, gratitude to the party, and a vision for inclusive leadership.

Attached images on his X post show him holding an NDC 2026 gubernatorial nomination form and a campaign poster declaring him the NDC flag bearer with the Yoruba slogan, “Ó TI YÁ”, meaning it is time for change.

“With profound humility, gratitude, and a clear sense of purpose, I accept our party’s nomination to serve as its candidate for Governor of Lagos State in 2027,” Doherty wrote.

“I am deeply grateful for the confidence our great party has placed in me and for our shared belief that Lagos deserves much better—inclusive leadership that works for everyone.

“The real work begins now. Together, we will build the Lagos that we know is possible. My friends, it’s time – O TI Ya!”

Last month, Doherty dumped the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the NDC, weeks after dumping the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ADC.

According to him, the ADC is currently facing a development that has led to a division of the opposition coalition with some leaders moving to the NDC and some remaining in the ADC.

Doherty said he had hoped that the ADC would be the vehicle that would unite the opposition, adding that since that is no longer the case, “we must each individually make a decision as to whether to remain with the ADC or move to the NDC.”

Announcing his membership of the NDC, Doherty stated that he joined the party after due consultation, careful deliberation and prayerful reflection.

He described the NDC as the path that will enable the opposition to deliver the benefits of good governance to those to whom they are due – every citizen, without exception.

“The battle ahead remains formidable, but I invite you to join us on this exciting, though sometimes turbulent, journey to a brighter future that has been long-promised and that has so far proven elusive, but that is, by the grace of God, now imminent,” Doherty said.

However, Doherty’s nomination has pitched him against supporters of Naheem Balogun whom they regard as their mandated candidate. A couple of days ago, Naheem Balogun assured supporters that he remained the party’s authentic flag bearer for the 2027 election, dismissing reports suggesting that another candidate has emerged with the ticket.

Balogun gave the assurance while receiving party faithful and supporters who turned out to welcome him on his return from a short trip to the United States.

The NDC hopeful expressed appreciation for the show of support, describing the turnout as a source of encouragement and motivation.

He reiterated the need for calm among party members, insisting that he remains the duly recognised governorship candidate of the party.

“I urge all our supporters not to be distracted by rumours and misinformation. Remain calm, focused and steadfast. The mandate given to us by party members cannot be taken away through speculation and propaganda.

“I will continue to protect the interests of our supporters and the NDC faithful. I will not take any decision affecting our collective future without consulting stakeholders across Lagos State. This project belongs to the people, and together we will determine its direction,” he said.

Balogun thanked party members across the state’s local government areas for their continued support and sacrifices, describing their commitment as the foundation of the movement he represents.

  As at the time of filing this report, the national organ of the party had not made any clear-cut statement as to who the real candidate of the party in Lagos is. 

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Yes, Persons With Disabilities Are Also Vulnerable To HIV - Dr Folakemi Animashaun, CEO Lagos AIDS Control Agency

The chief executive officer(CEO) , Lagos AIDS Control Agency (LSACA), Dr Folakemi Animashaun, has debunked the myth that persons with disabilities are less likely to be vulnerable to HIV because of perceived less sexual activity within the disabled community, saying that everyone who is exposed to the virus, whether abled body or with disability, is vulnerable to HIV.

Dr Animashaun made this disclosure while speaking on an exclusive chat with Lagos Today Extra!, on the sideline of a one-day awareness and sensitization programme organized for persons with disabilities in the state on HIV prevention and management.

The programme, held at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), brought together members of the hearing and visually impaired community, stakeholders, and advocates to enhance awareness on HIV prevention, promote disability-inclusive healthcare services, and address the challenges faced by persons with disabilities in accessing HIV-related information and support.

“Yes, persons with disabilities are also vulnerable to HIV. Whether you are abled body or living with disability, if you are exposed to HIV, you are vulnerable to the virus,” Dr Animashaun told our correspondent.

She added that even though the agency was still working out the data to find out the percentage of PWDs among those living with HIV in Lagos state, there was no denying the fact that anyone exposed to the virus is vulnerable to HIV, whether abled body or with disability.

“And that’s why we are organising this event specifically for those living with disabilities. We want them to know how to find out if they or their partners are HIV positive and what to do if they are, how to reduce the viral load through medication and also how to avoid discriminating against those who are HIV positive,” she further added.

She revealed that participants in the programme are also taught how to recognise and avoid domestic violence, stressing that  even though it may not be rampant in the disability community, cases of domestic violence are rampant in the larger society.

“People who knew that their partners are positive and willingly go into the marriage, end up inflicting domestic violence on such partners. We are also using this sensitization event to discourage such attitudes,” she said.

The Ceo of LSACA said information materials for the programme have been specifically processed into formats that are accessible to the participants. “In this event, we have participants from both the visually and the hearing impaired communities. And to ensure that the information is properly digested by participants, we have them presented in formats that each group can easily access. For those with visual impairment, we have the information in brail while there is a sign language interpreter on ground to pass the message to those with hearing impairment,” she stated.

On issues of stigma, Animashaun said LSACA is there to mediate for those who are being stigmatized or discriminated on because they are HIV positive. She said the agency is there for people to report to and get justice.

According to her, being a person with disability in Lagos does not exclude one from knowing what one should know concerning HIV, hence the need to have a separate awareness programme for persons with disabilities. “The mantra from His Excellency, Babajide Sanwo-Olu  is that no one should be left behind and at LSACA, we have keyed in to that policy direction of inclusivity. So we have the mandate to ensure that anyone with disability in Lagos has the basic knowledge  of HIV, knows how to interact with those living with HIV, and how to prevent themselves from contracting the virus. We are also here to make participants understand that those who have the virus must not transmit it to others and that they are taking their medications regularly,” she said.

Earlier, during his presentation, Mr Michael Essien, one of the facilitators, outlined the main modes of HIV transmission to include unprotected sexual intercourse, mother to baby transmission during pregnancy, delivery and breastfeeding, as well as sharing of sharp objects that have been used to pierce the body, and through blood transfusion.

“The prevention for sexually transmitted HIV is either proper and consistent use of condoms during sex, abstinence , or faithfulness to partners,” he said, adding that pregnant women should regularly take their medications to avoid transmitting the virus to their baby either in the womb, during delivery or in the process of breastfeeding. He also advised participants to avoid sharing sharp objects like syringes, needles and hair clippers, while patients going for blood transfusion should make sure that the blood they are using is certified by the Lagos state government.

Another facilitator, Dr Sule Omolola, while making her own presentation, said The right of persons to access healthcare should not be violated, adding that this happens when someone is denied access to healthcare because of their disability status.

“If, for instance, a hearing impaired patient goes to a healthcare facility and the medical personnel says the patient should go home and bring a family member as an interpreter, it is very wrong. Such a family member may not only end up disclosing the HIV status of the patient to others but may also start giving the patient instructions on what to do and what not to do, most of which may not be medically correct,” she said, adding  that people who are vulnerable to HIV and largely depend on others for their livelihood, often lack access to healthcare and this increases their vulnerability as well as transmitting the virus to others.

Dr Sule said the fear of negative attitudes of healthcare workers is a big barrier in the way of most patients trying to access such healthcare.

She also revealed that women and girls are at greater risk of gender based violence within the disability community. “Women and girls are at greater risk of gender based violence and this is often committed by care givers and family members,” she said adding   that such a situation could lead to physical injury, HIV infection and unwanted pregnancy.

“Some of these care givers may withhold access to mobility aids and insist that they would not release them to you unless you obey them. This becomes double burden because first you are with disability and now, you are being denied access to healthcare,” she further stated.   

Dr Sule also informed participants that most of these atrocities against persons with disabilities stem from cultural myths, saying that in some societies, there is the dangerous belief that if one have sex with a person with disability, one would be cured of one’s HIV, while some people also believe that having sex with a disabled person would make them wealthy. These myths, she said, fuel the risk of gender base violence and risk of HIV infection among persons with disabilities.

Clarifying the relationship between stigma and discrimination, Dr Sule said stigma occurs in the mind, when people begin to have negative thoughts about others because of their gender, health or disability status while discrimination sets in when such stigma is translated into action by isolating such people. Stigma, she said, feeds disability because if someone is isolated due to stigma and discrimination, they become economically disadvantaged and have to rely on others and when this happens, it leads to vulnerability that may end up with the person involved contracting the virus and unknowingly transmitting it to others.

Dr Sule, however, said even though there are several barriers on the way of persons with disabilities accessing healthcare, they have rights under the law to overcome these barriers if they report to agencies like the LSACA or the Lagos State Office for Disability Affairs (LASODA)whenever they perceive that those rights are being violated, whether by family members, care givers or healthcare providers.

The event featured demonstrations on how to properly use both the male and female condoms as well as on-the-spot self saliva HIV test carried out by participants themselves to know their HIV status.

Some of the participants who spoke with Lagos Today Extra!, said they benefited a lot from the event, promising to cascade the information they got down to their various disability communities when they get back.

“I have learnt so many things about HIV today. For instance, I did not know until today that I could carry out a self test all by myself. This is a good thing because it ensures confidentiality and reduces the likelihood of stigma in the event of a negative test. Again, I learnt of the many legal avenues at our disposal when our rights are being violated in our quest to have access to healthcare as persons with disabilities,” one of the participants who gave her name as Ola, said.

“The sessions were very interactive. We had opportunities to ask and answer questions. I have learnt so much today and when I get back, I will cascade the information I have gathered down to my community so that those who are not here can also benefit from the information,” another participant stated.

Cross sections of participants at the event

 

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