Tension As Lagos NURTW's Organizing Secretary, Toba Ajiboye, Is Shot Dead Along Ikorodu Road, Police Launches Manhunt For Killers

There is palpable tension and fear of an imminent outbreak of violence and clash among members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW)in Lagos, as its Organising Secretary, Toba Ajiboye, popularly known as Ijaya, has reportedly died after he was shot by yet-to-be-identified gunmen in Lagos.

Ajiboye was said to have come under attack on Sunday night while returning home from his childhood neighbourhood in Fadeyi.

According to reports, the assailants intercepted his vehicle around the Ikorodu Road axis and opened fire, leaving the car riddled with bullet holes.

Photos and videos circulating on social media after the incident showed his white vehicle with multiple bullet holes on the windscreen and other parts

of the body.

Initial reports indicated that Ajiboye and other occupants of the vehicle survived the attack after sustaining gunshot wounds. However, subsequent reports

claimed that the union official later died from his injuries.

According to information reaching Lagos Today Extra!, the NURTW scribe was pronounced dead by medical experts at the St. Nichola Hospital in Lagos Island Local Government where he was rushed to after the attack.

 

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Confusion however, broke out on Tuesday, around St. Nichola Hospital between the Police and ardent supporters of the victim, after transporters prevented security operatives from accessing the medical facility to recover Ajiboye’s body after he was pronounced dead.

Reacting to the incident, Lagos NURTW Chairman, Alhaji Mustapha Adekunle, popularly known as Sego, expressed grief over Ajiboye’s death, describing him

as a loyal ally and trusted friend.

In a tribute posted on his Facebook page on Tuesday, Sego said he was devastated by the loss, noting that Ajiboye’s commitment and dedication to the union

and their political structure would be greatly missed.

“The news of the sudden passing of Comrade Toba Ajiboye has left me deeply saddened and heartbroken. It is difficult to come to terms with the loss of

such a loyal, dependable, and committed ally,” he wrote.

Sego described the late union leader as “more than an ally,” saying he remained a pillar of TeamSego and SegoNation.

“Comrade Toba Ajiboye, the Organising Secretary of the NURTW Lagos State Council, was more than an ally; he was a trusted friend, a man of steadfast loyalty

and unwavering commitment, and a true pillar of TeamSego and SegoNation. His friendship, unwavering support, and selfless dedication to the union over

the years will forever remain etched in my heart,” he said.

The NURTW chieftain also extended his condolences to the deceased’s family, friends and members of the NURTW.

“My heartfelt condolences go to his family, friends, and the entire NURTW family. May Almighty God forgive his shortcomings, grant him eternal rest, and

give us all the strength and fortitude to bear this painful and irreparable loss,” he added.

Paying his final respects, Sego said, “Farewell, my dear friend. Your loyalty, friendship, and unwavering support will forever remain in my heart. You

will be deeply missed, and I will never forget the bond we shared.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the incident.

She said, “The incident happened on Sunday, and one person died. He is a member of the transport union in Lagos. Investigation has commenced, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the killers.”

Meanwhile, a source familiar with the incident, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said Ajiboye had visited the community to meet his childhood friends as he usually did.

“He had visited the area on Sunday as he regularly did because that was where he grew up. He was leaving that evening when some gunmen shot at his vehicle.

“He was rushed to the hospital, and we believed he was responding to treatment until we were informed this morning that he didn’t make it,” the source said.

A member of the union, who identified himself simply as Taofeek, said three other occupants of the vehicle were also hit by bullets during the attack.

“There were about three other people in the vehicle. They also sustained gunshot wounds. Their condition is very serious as we speak. The doctors are battling to save them. We pray that they survive,” he said.

The killing has sparked anxiety among residents, who appealed for increased security to prevent any breakdown of law and order.

However, reacting to the development, Adebisi said, “There is no panic in the area. The policemen are on the ground, and more personnel have been added to the team of policemen in the area.”

 According to Adebisi, “Investigation is ongoing to get the perpetrators, the Command has also deployed to strategic locations to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order”.

  

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How Lagos Emmergency Responders Saved 7-Month Old Baby In The Middle Of A Rainy Night

A resident of Lagos State, Muhammad Armayau has applauded the state’s emergency responders for acting swiftly to save his 7-month old daughter.

Armayau who resides in Badagry area of the state disclosed this to journalists on Monday, saying his daughter fell seriously sick in the middle of the night, during a heavy downpour and there was no car to take the child to the hospital.

He said his family heaved a sigh of relief when they put a call through to 112, the state’s government emergency toll free line.

Armayau explained that, ” My seven-month-old daughter developed a high fever after battling an elevated temperature for two days.

When the thermometer read 38.5°C, panic set in. With heavy rain falling and no means of transportation, my wife and i tried to bring the fever down by gently wiping the baby with a wet towel while waiting for the rain to subside.”

 

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According to him, at about 4:07 a.m., he called 112 and explained the situation to an emergency response officer, who immediately requested his address and a nearby landmark after hearing the baby crying in the background.

“Twenty minutes later, the Lagos Emergency Response Call Centre called back to confirm that an ambulance had already been dispatched. Because it was still dark, the officer discussed the best way for the ambulance crew to locate the family.

“By 5:07 a.m., the rain had eased, and another call informed me that the ambulance was waiting at the Checkpoint Bus Stop. The family quickly rode on a motorcycle to the location, where the ambulance team was already waiting.

“After assessing the baby’s condition, the medical personnel recommended taking her to General Hospital, Badagry, since the family’s nearest Primary Health Centre at Ilepo does not operate round the clock.”

According to Armayau, the ambulance was unable to reach his home because of the poor condition of the Ibiye–Checkpoint–Magbon road, which had become difficult to access due to the heavy rainfall.

He described the response as remarkable, noting that the ambulance travelled approximately 24 kilometres from General Hospital, Badagry, simply to attend to their emergency.

Armayau noted that at the hospital, the baby received immediate medical attention, saying,” i paid ₦2,000 to open a new patient file, ₦8,000 for laboratory tests, including a Full Blood Count (FBC) and malaria test, and about ₦4,000 for prescribed medications.”

He added that if their Lagos State Health Insurance coverage had still been active, the total cost would have been just ₦1,400.
Apart from those payments, he said there were no consultation fees or ambulance charges, describing the experience as an example of public services funded by taxpayers delivering real value to residents.

Armayau also commended the cleanliness of General Hospital, Badagry, and acknowledged the dedication of the healthcare workers on duty.

While praising the emergency response and healthcare services, he appealed to the Lagos State government to rehabilitate the Ibiye–Checkpoint–Magbon road, employ more doctors at General Hospital, Badagry, upgrade the Ilepo Primary Health Centre to a 24-hour facility, improve electricity supply in the community, and work towards a unified electronic medical record system across government hospitals.

He also appreciated ongoing infrastructure projects in Badagry, including road rehabilitation and improvements around the General Hospital, noting that better roads significantly enhance emergency response and save lives.

Describing the experience as one he had only seen in developed countries, Armayau expressed gratitude to the Lagos State Emergency Response Team and all frontline health workers for their commitment to protecting lives.

  

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Oshodi Residents Cry Out As Gun-wielding Hoodlums Invade Community, One Hospitalized

Residents of the Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Area have appealed for urgent intervention following two separate night invasions by armed youth gangs that have heightened fears over the safety of lives and property in the community.

It was gathered that the latest attack, which occurred on Saturday, July 4, 2026, left at least one person hospitalised with severe machete wounds and came barely a week after a similar violent incident in the area.

Residents said the latest invasion occurred at about 9:30pm on Alimi Oka Street, where a large group of underage boys marched through the community, openly brandishing cutlasses, machetes and broken bottles, forcing residents indoors.

 

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Speaking with the media, a resident identified simply as Rasheedat said the community had endured repeated attacks believed to be linked to cult groups or political thugs.

“They usually come at night and terrorise residents. This is not the first time, and I think it will continue if proper security measures are not put in place.

“Some people say they are political thugs; others believe they are cult groups. Something needs to be done as fast as possible,” she said.

Also speaking, a community leader, Elder Fatai Bammore, called for sustained police presence in the area to prevent hoodlums from recruiting local youths to foment trouble.

“It is on this note that people are crying out. Oshodi is usually like this during the electioneering period,” Bammore said.

Before the July 4 attack, another major incident occurred near the Orile Oshodi Bus Stop along Oshodi Road just before 11pm on Sunday, June 28, 2026.

According to eyewitnesses, a gang of masked youths stormed the area, attacked passersby and disrupted traffic.

One of the eyewitnesses, Adewale, who narrowly escaped the assault after stepping out of a nearby compound, recalled how the attack unfolded.

“The bus pointed its headlights at them. To our surprise, these guys didn’t leave the road because they were armed with cutlasses, broken bottles and guns. Immediately after they saw the light, there was a gunshot,” he said.

Adewale said the attackers mistook him for a vigilante or security operative and began chasing him through the neighbourhood.

“In fact, the gunshot was targeted right at me, but I managed to escape the bullet. They started throwing broken bottles at me. I could hear the sound of bottles smashing behind me as I ran,” he added.

He said he eventually escaped by slipping through a small gate near a local food-vending area and locking it behind him.

Frustrated that he had escaped, the gang allegedly turned on other people nearby.

“An innocent bystander cornered by the gang was brutally attacked,” Adewale said.

Residents said the victim suffered deep machete cuts across his back and was rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The attackers were also said to have forced their way into a residential building within the compound while searching for Adewale.

A female resident, Chima, recounted the terrifying experience.

“They entered right into our house, asking, ‘Where is he? Where is the person?’ God saved me because I was smart enough to keep shouting at those boys, ‘Nobody entered here! I’m a lady, I’m a woman, I’m not a man!’ That was what saved me; otherwise, they would have dealt with me too.”

It was gathered that the incident was reported at the Makinde Police Station the following morning.

The spokesperson for the state police command, Abimbola Adebisi, had yet to comment on the residents’ call.

However, the command announced the arrest of 135 suspected cultists and the recovery of 26 firearms during coordinated raids on criminal hideouts across the state ahead of the annual July 7 cult-related activities.

It was not immediately clear whether those arrested included the suspects accused of terrorising the Oshodi community.

  

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Take Ownership Of Your Housing Estates - Lagos Perm Sec Urges Residents

The Lagos State Government has called on residents of its housing estates to take greater responsibility for maintenance of their neighbourhoods to preserve infrastructure.

The go        vernment said that taking such a responsibility would also enhance security and sustain property value.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Housing, Mr Abdulhafis Toriola, made the call during the ministry’s monthly stakeholders’ engagement with residents of government-owned housing estates.

The event was hosted by Millennium Housing Estate, Agbado-Ijaiye, Ojokoro, on Saturday.

Toriola said the forum was designed to strengthen collaboration between the government and the residents, while providing a platform to identify challenges and receive feedback for improved estate management.

“Wherever you live, you need to be proactive and take ownership so that the estate retains its value.

“When you notice something that needs attention, fix what you can.

“Where government intervention is required, we will come in and assist. You do not have to wait for government to fix everything,” he said.

The permanent secretary commended the residents for maintaining their estates, and urged them to comply with the terms and conditions of their property allocation.

He stressed the importance of paying insurance premiums, describing insurance as a critical safeguard for residents and government assets.

Toriola also urged the residents to comply with regulations on land use charges and other statutory obligations, saying that defaulters would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

According to him, the ministry has continued to organise stakeholders’ engagements to obtain residents’ feedbacks.

He said that such feedbacks had informed improvement works in government housing estates.

On ageing estates, Toriola said the government had commenced urban renewal initiatives, including redevelopment of the old Jakande Estate in Lekki, after integrity assessment.

Earlier, the Director of Estate Department in the ministry, Mrs Olukemi Fosude, said the engagement was aimed at sensitising the residents on government housing policies.

Fosude said that the engagement was also aimed at identifying challenges and strengthening collaboration for effective estate management.

She said the ministry remained committed to maintaining estate infrastructure, coordinating facility management, ensuring regulatory compliance, managing service charges and promoting sustainable communities.

Fosude announced that the ministry had introduced a standardised demand notice and unique payment code for every allottee to improve transparency, accountability and prompt reconciliation of service charge payments.

She reminded residents of their obligations, including prompt payment of service charges and insurance premiums.

She warned against unauthorised structures, illegal commercial activities, indiscriminate refuse disposal and other violations of estate regulations.

She urged the residents to participate in the state’s re-introduced monthly environmental sanitation to promote hygiene, prevent flooding and preserve property values.

On behalf of the residents, the Vice-Chairman of the Millennium Housing Estate, Agbado-Ijaiye, Mr Chris Otabo, commended the ministry for improving security through the construction of perimeter fencing.

Otabo also thanked the ministry for beautification of the estate.

He, however, appealed to the government to provide improved drainage channels, repair deteriorating roads and install additional streetlights to further enhance safety.

The Chairman of Millennium Housing Estate, Okoba, Mr Jamil Onosoya, praised the ministry for rehabilitating residential blocks and upgrading infrastructure across government housing estates.

He, however, appealed for completion of an abandoned water project on the estate and provision of additional recreational facilities and smart security infrastructure.

Officials of the Lagos Waste Management Authority, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Safety Commission, and Lagos State Health Management Agency were at the event.

Officials of Lagos State Mortgage Board, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency also attended the event.

  

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Confusion As Lagos Demolishes Surulere Buildings Over Setback Breaches

The Lagos State Building Control Agency has partially demolished sections of illegally constructed buildings behind Barracks Bus Stop in Surulere after their owners allegedly failed to comply with repeated enforcement notices.

The agency said the action followed months of monitoring and inspections, which revealed that the affected structures violated provisions of the Lagos State Urban and Regional Planning and Development Law as well as other building regulations.

According to LASBCA, the buildings exceeded approved setback limits by encroaching on spaces designated for safety, accessibility and orderly physical development.

The agency also said investigations showed that the developers could not produce valid planning approvals for the structures and that the buildings contravened the state’s building codes, posing potential risks to occupants, adjoining properties and the environment.

LASBCA said it had earlier served the developers with statutory contravention and enforcement notices directing them to stop construction and regularise the developments.

It added that the owners failed to comply with the directives despite being given opportunities to do so, prompting the agency to commence partial demolition of the offending sections.

The agency said the enforcement exercise was carried out as part of its statutory responsibility to prevent illegal developments and ensure compliance with approved building standards across Lagos.

It maintained that structures erected without approval or in violation of approved setbacks constitute safety hazards and undermine orderly urban planning.

LASBCA urged property owners, developers and contractors to obtain all necessary planning permits before commencing construction and to ensure that building works strictly conform to approved plans.

The agency also appealed to residents to report illegal developments and distressed buildings in their communities, assuring them that it would continue monitoring construction activities and enforcing building regulations across the state.

 

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How Security Fears Renewed Crackdown On Lagos Street Beggars - Report

Fresh security concerns and a surge in the number of beggars across Lagos have prompted the state government to intensify its crackdown on street beggars in an ongoing statewide enforcement operation.

According to a report in Saturday Punch, in one of the largest operations in recent times, the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Task Force, in conjunction with the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps, arrested 226 beggars on June 8 as part of a renewed daily enforcement exercise.

It was gathered that the intensified raids were driven by growing concerns over insecurity in the country, increasing complaints from residents and the rising influx of street beggars into different parts of the state.

The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, had, in a statement confirming the arrests, described the exercise as part of the state’s ongoing clean-up and enforcement operation aimed at improving public safety and maintaining environmental standards.

He said street begging had continued to constitute an environmental nuisance and contribute to the degradation of public spaces.

However, sources, including government officials and security personnel, told Saturday PUNCH that the operation went beyond environmental sanitation, disclosing that it formed part of proactive measures to prevent security breaches amid growing public anxiety over insecurity.

A senior government official, who spoke  on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said the exercise, coordinated by officials of the Kick Against Indiscipline unit, had been intensified and would continue in the coming weeks.

“The state government is currently taking proactive steps because of the security situation in the country. At the same time, the state has witnessed an increase in the number of street beggars like never before. It is already becoming alarming.

“The decision also followed complaints from residents who have become increasingly disturbed by the influx, especially at a time like this. That informed the government’s decision to step up the exercise,” he said.

The renewed enforcement comes amid heightened security concerns in parts of the country, particularly the South-West, where security agencies and state governments have stepped up surveillance following reports of the infiltration of the region by terrorists.

Another government official said authorities had observed a noticeable migration of street beggars into highbrow areas of the state, prompting increased enforcement in Victoria Island, Lekki and Ajah.

“We have recorded an increased migration of beggars to the Island. They are now in almost every nook and cranny of the area. In the past, enforcement was more common on the mainland, but their movement to the Island has become significant.

“Their presence has become a major concern for residents, and we have received numerous complaints. The people living in those areas are particularly sensitive to security issues and have become worried because of the increasing number of beggars amid the prevailing insecurity in parts of the South-West,” he said.

The source explained that there had also been isolated cases where some persons picked up during previous operations were allegedly found with firearms and other dangerous objects.

“There were concerns that criminal elements could exploit some of them (street beggars). Beyond that, the level of environmental abuse associated with their activities has become excessive,” the source added.

The spokesperson for KAI, Lukmon Ajayi, said the enforcement was ongoing and was gradually reducing the number of street beggars in the state.

He also noted that some of them were being used as decoys to carry out criminal activities.

“The exercise has been routine, and we are also recording a gradual reduction in the state. We have arrested beggars, especially the physically challenged ones using rollers, with dangerous objects. We have arrested them with knives and machetes. They hid them in the rollers. They have attacked us with these objects during enforcement operations.

“Also, the previous Saturday, a disabled person helped others to scale the fence into the next building. So, they also pose a security risk. They can be used as decoys to attack people. Security is part of our main duty, which is to ensure that the environment is sanitised,” Ajayi added.

However, a police source clarified that the Lagos State Police Command had not received any intelligence linking street beggars to any specific security threat and was not involved in the operation.

The senior police officer also acknowledged their increased presence in most parts of the state.

“The police have not received any security intelligence about them, and the police are not involved in the operation. If there is any such development, the police will be involved.

“What we have observed is that the exercise is largely a response to public concerns arising from the general security situation in the country. The government appears to be taking proactive measures to reassure residents and prevent situations where members of the public may begin profiling or attacking vulnerable persons based on suspicion,” the source said.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, could not be reached for comment as calls to her telephone line were not answered.

A text message sent to her had yet to be replied to as of the time this report was filed.

Culled from the Punch. 

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Lagos To Receive First State-Funded HIV Medicine August

The Lagos State Government says it will become the first sub-national government in Nigeria to independently procure antiretroviral medicines for people living with HIV, with the first shipment expected to arrive before the end of August.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State AIDS Control Agency, Folakemi Animashaun, announced the development during a press briefing in Alausa, Ikeja, where she also challenged a recent report by the Federal Ministry of Health, which ranked Lagos as the state with the highest number of new HIV infections in Nigeria.

Animashaun described the state’s procurement of HIV medicines as a landmark step towards reducing dependence on international donors and guaranteeing uninterrupted access to treatment.

“We are pleased to inform Lagosians that the first consignment of these state-procured ARV medicines is expected to arrive in Lagos by the end of August 2026.

“This marks a historic milestone, making Lagos State the first sub-national government in Nigeria to independently procure antiretroviral medicines for people living with HIV,” she said.

Animashaun said the initiative demonstrated the state’s commitment to sustaining HIV treatment regardless of fluctuations in donor funding.

“This landmark initiative demonstrates the unwavering commitment of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration to safeguarding the health of Lagos residents, reducing dependence on external donor support, and ensuring uninterrupted access to life-saving HIV treatment,” she said.

Animashaun added that the state was also working with the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS to explore local production of antiretroviral medicines, drawing lessons from Kenya’s pharmaceutical and health commodity management system.

“Furthermore, the state is exploring opportunities to strengthen local health security through sustainable antiretroviral commodity production by leveraging international best practices, including lessons from Kenya’s pharmaceutical and health commodity management experience, while collaborating with global partners such as UNAIDS,” she added.

The CEO explained that local production would strengthen supply chains, lower long-term treatment costs and improve access to HIV medicines.

The announcement came as the agency faulted recent reports arising from the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s State of the Health of the Nation Report 2025, which listed Lagos as recording 10,430 new HIV infections, the highest in the country.

Animashaun argued that the figure had been widely misunderstood.

“The figure widely reported in the media requires important technical interpretation. It does not literally translate to the state recording 10,430 new HIV infections in 2025.

“The number that has been widely circulated refers to newly diagnosed HIV-positive cases, not necessarily new HIV infections that occurred within the year. These are two very different public health indicators,” she said.

She further explained that many of the people captured in the figure may have contracted HIV years earlier but only recently underwent testing.

“These include persons who may have acquired HIV several years earlier but were only recently tested. The figure may also include people who travelled to Lagos for testing or treatment, referrals from other states, and individuals identified because of the state’s expanded access to HIV testing services,” she said.

Animashaun maintained that new HIV infections are estimated through scientific surveillance and epidemiological modelling rather than routine testing data.

 

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Panic As Explosion Rocks Apapa Tank Farm

Panic erupted at the Lagos tank farm cluster in Ibafon, Apapa, on Friday morning after a fire broke out at the Bono Tank Farm, located within the Best Energy Tank Farm complex.

The inferno sent residents and workers in the area fleeing for safety as emergency responders moved in to contain the blaze.

Although details of the incident at the time of this report were still sketchy, it was gathered that the fire service departments of both the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) moved in to curtail the spread of the fire.

Confirming the incident, the Director of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, said no casualties had been recorded as of the time of filing this report.

Adeseye said firefighters and other emergency responders were fully deployed at the scene to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to adjoining tank farms and other nearby facilities.

The spokesperson for the LSFRS, Shakiru Amodu, had confirmed the incident in a short update earlier on Friday.

Giving an update on the incident, Margaret Adeseye, said the fire was successfully contained at about 2 pm.

Adeseye noted that the fire involved a 5-million-litre Automotive Gas Oil storage tank which went up in flames at about 12 pm.

She noted that following the emergency report, emergency responders were deployed to the scene and the fire was successfully contained without any casualties.

She stated, “The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has successfully extinguished a fire involving a storage tank at the Bono Energy Terminal, located within the Ibru Jetty Complex along the Apapa–Oworonshoki Expressway, by Coconut Bus Stop, Olodi Apapa, Lagos.

“The emergency was reported at 12:04 p.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026. Firefighters from the Ajegunle, Sari Iganmu, and Isolo Fire Stations responded immediately and arrived at the scene at 12:16 hours. The incident involved a 5-million-litre Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) storage tank, which was engulfed in flames.”

The LSFRS CG said the prompt intervention prevented the fire from spreading to adjoining facilities.

She added, “Through the swift, coordinated, and professional efforts of the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, working alongside emergency response teams from neighbouring oil and gas facilities, the fire was successfully brought under control and completely extinguished by 13:54 hours.

“The prompt intervention prevented the fire from spreading to adjoining tanks and critical infrastructure, thereby minimising potential losses. No casualty was recorded.”

Adeseye added that “the cause of the fire is yet to be determined and is currently under investigation.”

A major disaster was averted earlier on Friday after emergency responders contained a leaking Liquefied Petroleum Gas tanker at Owode Elede, inward Onirin, along Ikorodu Road, with no casualty recorded.

The Lagos State Emergency Management Agency had disclosed that the incident happened in the early hours of the day after the tanker developed a fault.

  

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How LASTMA Officer Was Stabbed By Bus Driver Along Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, Suspect Arrested

A traffic enforcement operation by the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) turned violent after one of its officers was allegedly stabbed by a commercial bus conductor at Ile-Epo Market, inward Abule-Egba, along the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway.

The incident occurred when a LASTMA patrol team intercepted a Volkswagen commercial bus with registratio number LSR 989 XG for allegedly obstructing traffic at the busy market corridor.

According to LASTMA, the driver resisted the enforcement process, while the vehicle’s conductor, identified as Lekan Olasunkanmi, allegedly armed himself with a screwdriver and attacked one of the agency’s officers, inflicting a stab wound during the confrontation.

The injured officer was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital, where he received emergency treatment and is said to be responding positively.

Following the attack, the suspect was arrested and handed over to officers at the Abattoir Police Division for investigation and possible prosecution.

LASTMA disclosed that during preliminary police interrogation, the suspect admitted to producing the screwdriver and reportedly confessed that he mistakenly stabbed the officer during the altercation.

Reacting to the incident, LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, condemned the attack, describing the growing hostility towards traffic management officers as disturbing.

He warned that the Lagos State Government would not condone any form of violence against personnel carrying out their lawful duties.

“Anyone found attacking LASTMA personnel in the course of their lawful duties will face the full weight of the law. Our officers are deployed across the state to ensure the free flow of traffic and compliance with traffic regulations. Any act of violence against them is an attack on public order and will not go unpunished,” he said.

Bakare-Oki urged motorists, commercial transport operators and other road users to comply with the provisions of the Lagos State Transport Sector Reform Law, 2018, stressing that cooperation with traffic management authorities is essential to improving road safety and traffic flow.

He also appealed to transport unions and commercial vehicle operators to continually educate their members on the need to respect law enforcement and traffic management officials while carrying out their responsibilities.

  

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"We Are Shocked," Neighbours Of US-Named Terror Financier In Agege Open Up About What They Know

The Lagos residence identified by the United States as belonging to a Nigerian accused of financing the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria has been deserted for years. Residents of the quiet Agege community said they neither knew the suspect nor ever suspected that their neighbourhood could be linked to an international terrorism financing network.

According to a Punch’s report, No. 45, Abimbola Street, Morkaz, Agege, the address listed by the United States Department of State as the residence of the alleged ISIS financial facilitator, Mukhtar Adamu Muhammad, the building has been locked for years with no signs of habitation.

The dark cream-coloured bungalow, tucked between houses numbered 43 and 47, stood eerily silent.

Its iron doors, partially sealed with concrete, remained firmly locked. Rust coated the door handles, the windows were tightly shut, and there were no signs of habitation or activity inside or around the premises.

The visit came barely days after the US government imposed sanctions on Muhammad and three Nigerian Bureau de Change firms over their alleged roles in an international ISIS financial network.

In a statement issued on June 22, 2026, the US Department of State named Muhammad, also known as Mukhtar Muhammad alongside Generation Currency Bureau De Change Limited, Manhattan Bureau De Change Limited and Nine to Nine Exchange Bureau De Change Limited, as part of a network allegedly used to move funds for ISIS operations across West Africa and beyond.

The US listed Muhammad’s address as No. 45, Abimbola Street, off Capital Road, Morkaz, Agege, Lagos State.

But on Abimbola Street, close to the renowned Markaz Islamic Centre in the densely populated Papa Ashafa community, the allegations have left residents stunned.

Residents were seen standing in small groups discussing what they described as the biggest story ever associated with their street, expressing disbelief that their neighbourhood had suddenly attracted negative global attention.

Although some residents said the last occupants vacated the property about two years ago, this could not be independently verified, nor could it be established whether those occupants were in any way connected to Muhammad.

Even so, there were no visible indications that anyone had occupied the building recently.

Finding the property itself proved difficult because, unlike adjoining buildings, it bore no visible house number.

It took the assistance of a resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons, for Punch’s correspondents to identify the exact building.

Two provision stores beside the property were open for business, but both shop owners declined to comment, saying they knew nothing about the matter.

Abimbola Street connects several busy roads, including Markaz Road, Oniwaya Road, Owo Street, Adenle Street, Taiwo Dada Street and Ayeni Street.

The street also hosts the popular Harisiyya Mosque, widely known as the White Mosque, alongside several neighbourhood prayer centres.

A 58-year-old food vendor, identified simply as Hajia, said she found it difficult to reconcile the allegations with what she had known about the community.

“This area is mainly occupied by Hausa people, but I have never seen anything that would suggest criminal activities or terrorist operations here.

“What surprised me the most is how America even knew Abimbola Street and the exact house number. I am standing at Number 44 now, but I don’t know anybody called Muhammad Mukhtar. I have lived here for six years,” she said.

Another resident, Alhaji Suleiman Tijani, who said he had lived in the neighbourhood for about a decade, described the community as peaceful.

“There has never been any history of violence or radical activities here. This is a quiet community.

“That particular house has been unoccupied for a long time. Sometimes, I noticed people would come around to clean the place, stay for a few days and leave, but they have never carried out any act that could raise suspicion,” he said.

Tijani, however, disclosed that police patrol vehicles appeared to have increased in the area shortly after the US announcement.

“You know Markaz attracts important personalities regularly, and security operatives often accompany them.

“But on Tuesday, I noticed police patrol vans passing through this area about four different times. They simply drove around; nobody was arrested and no resident was questioned.”

Another resident, identified simply as Auwal, said he initially dismissed the reports until he heard them being discussed during a newspaper review programme on the radio.

“I thought it was just another rumour. I know the Americans have sophisticated technology for tracking people, but I never imagined our street, which has never had any history of violence, could be mentioned in connection with terrorism financing.”

He expressed concern that innocent residents could become targets of indiscriminate security operations.

“My fear is that security agencies may start coming here to arrest innocent residents while searching for this person,” Auwal said.

Meanwhile, not everyone in the community had heard about the allegations.

A fashion designer, Mrs Angela Nwoboku, said she only learnt about the development from Sunday PUNCH.

“I had not heard about it before now because nobody informed me, and I have not seen it in the news. I have not noticed any change in this area. Everything has remained the way it has always been. People go about their normal businesses peacefully.”

She attributed the calm in the neighbourhood to the influence of the Markaz Islamic Centre.

“I think the Muslim school here, Markaz, has actually made this area peaceful and calm. We have always lived together without problems.”

While urging residents not to jump to conclusions, she appealed to security agencies to thoroughly investigate the allegations.

“I want the government to carry out proper due diligence and establish whether the owners or occupants of that house truly have anything to do with terrorism. It is important that innocent people are not wrongly labelled because of where they live,” she added.

When contacted, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said the state government had no plans to demolish the property identified by the US.

According to him, matters relating to terrorism and national security fall within the jurisdiction of federal security agencies.

“The issue is beyond the Lagos State Government,” Omotoso said.

It was gathered that although the EFCC and DSS had concluded investigations into the suspects before the US announced sanctions against them, none of those designated had been taken into custody as of Saturday.

A top security official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly on the matter, said the suspects and their alleged associates were being tracked.

According to the source, terrorism financing investigations require painstaking intelligence gathering because such networks operate across multiple jurisdictions.

“Terrorism financing cases are very complex. The networks are global and have to be trailed to identify their local collaborators. It’s not a press-button thing. We are still on it.

“Those sanctioned by the U.S. are yet to be arrested and are not in the custody of any Nigerian security agency, but everything about them is known to the EFCC and DSS, which investigated them,” the official said.

Responding to concerns that the delay could enable the suspects to flee, the source dismissed the possibility.

“There’s no hiding place. The world is a global village,” the official added.

Culled from the Punch

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