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Tuesday, 16 December 2025

91 Lagosians Lost Their Lives Through Road Crashes In 11 Months - FRSC


The Lagos Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps has disclosed that no fewer than 91 people were killed in various road crashes across the state between January and November 2025.

The FRSC Lagos Sector Commander, Kehinde Hamzat, recently disclosed this while responding to a question on road crash statistics at a press briefing held at the Sector Command, Ojodu-Berger, Lagos State.

The briefing, which commemorated the annual Don’t Drink and Drive Campaign, was held in partnership with the Beer Sectoral Group of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria.

According to Hamzat, the statistics revealed that October recorded the highest number of fatalities with 14 deaths, followed by January with 13 deaths.

The statistics also showed that February recorded the lowest number of fatalities, with five deaths.

Hamzat stressed that the figures represented a slight increase compared to the same period in 2024.

He attributed the road crashes to three factors, which he identified as human, mechanical, and environmental.

The Lagos FRSC Sector Commander noted that while mechanical and environmental factors could be managed, human factors were often the major cause of road crashes.

Speaking on the notorious nature of the Otedola Bridge and Kara Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, he noted that motorists’ inability to manage the engineering challenges at Otedola Bridge and indiscriminate roadside parking at Kara Bridge were responsible for most crashes along the corridor.

Hamzat noted, however, that motorists must take responsibility for their safety even as the government works on solutions.

He said, “There are three factors that cause road traffic crashes, and they are human, mechanical, and environmental. Human beings can take care of the other two factors because someone who has been driving a road over a period of time should know that when they get to certain areas, they should drive with care.

“When you ask a mechanic to repair your brake system, it will surprise you that the mechanic will drive your vehicle from your house to his workshop. That is being careful; that is the human factor taking care of the mechanical factor.

“We have observed that the engineering nature of that area (Otedola Bridge) has challenges, not because the road is not wide enough, but because of human failure to manage mechanical factors.”

Hamzat added that the agency had played its advisory role on the engineering challenges of the Otedola Bridge and had also urged the Lagos State Government to engage its Ogun State counterpart on addressing the indiscriminate roadside parking at the Kara section.


 

48 Shops Go Up In Flames In Elegushi Market Fire Incident


An early morning fire that rocked the Elegushi Model Market complex in the Lekki area of Lagos State has left no fewer than 48 shops destroyed.

The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, disclosed this in a statement.

According to the PS, the agency received an emergency alert at about 2 am on Sunday and, upon arrival at the scene, discovered that the market complex was engulfed in flames.

He noted that the emergency response team immediately contained the fire to prevent it from causing further damage.

Oke-Osanyintolu stated that preliminary investigations revealed that the fire emanated from a makeshift stall within the market complex before spreading to the main building, adding that no lives were lost in the incident.

He stated, “Preliminary investigations conducted by the Shark Response Team revealed that the fire started from one of the makeshift stalls within the compound of the market and quickly escalated to the main building. The cause of the fire was not known at the time of this report.

“No life was lost, and no injuries were sustained as a result of the incident.

“Collaborative efforts by all stakeholders ensured coordinated firefighting to completely extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading to adjoining buildings.”

He, however, stressed that a post-disaster assessment revealed that 48 shops were affected by the fire.

The PS added that traders were further sensitised on fire prevention and management strategies to avert future occurrences.

“Forty-eight shops were affected by the fire. The market union executives were advised to place fire extinguishers in strategic locations to enable them to arrest or control minor fires before they escalate and spread.

“Shop owners were also advised to be more conscious of fire outbreaks and fire prevention measures. Smoke detectors and fire alarms are to be installed within the premises,” Oke-Osanyintolu concluded.


 

How Lagos Wife Faked Own Kidnap To Extort N2.5 Million From Husband


A 26-year-old woman, Misturah, is presently cooling off in the custody of the Lagos state police command. Misturah was arrested for allegedly staging her own abduction and extorting N2.5m from her husband under the guise of a kidnapping.

Lagos Today Extra! gathered that the incident was reported to the police on November 24 when a lawyer, Hamzat (surname withheld), contacted the police to report that his brother’s wife had been kidnapped by unknown armed men.

A source in the Lagos State Police Command, who spoke with newsmen, said the supposed abductors demanded a ransom of N10m for Misturah’s release.

According to the source, the amount was later reduced to N3m during negotiations, after which a sum of N2.5m was eventually paid.

“Following the report of her supposed kidnapping, the command registered the incident for investigation.

“During ransom negotiations, the kidnappers reduced their demand to N3m. Subsequently, a sum of N2.5m was paid; however, the kidnappers initially refused to release the hostage.

“Upon receipt of the complaint, a team of police officers was deployed to track and rescue the victim.

“Before operatives could locate the suspected criminals’ hideout, the complainant contacted the squad and reported that the victim had been released and reunited with her family,” the source narrated.

The police source further stated that Misturah was subsequently invited to the command headquarters the following day, where she was debriefed and her statement recorded.

In her account, she reportedly claimed she was kidnapped by six armed men who arrived in a silver Toyota Venza and took her to an undisclosed location.

She also alleged that her iPhone 12 Pro Max was seized and that she was released only after the payment of N2.5m.

She further told detectives that the ransom money was first paid into her bank account before it was handed over to the kidnappers, insisting that the entire sum was delivered to them.

The police source, however, noted that further investigation raised suspicions, leading to the arrest of a 30-year-old man, identified simply as Daniel, on December 3, in Ede, Osun State.

The source said, “A SIM card used to register the WhatsApp account through which ransom negotiations were conducted was recovered from Adedamola.

“During interrogation, he stated that Misturah was an online acquaintance of about two years and that she requested the use of his SIM card to register a WhatsApp account.

“He stated that during the registration process, a one-time password was sent to him, which he forwarded to Misturah, enabling her to activate the WhatsApp account.

“He further stated that she informed him that the phone number would be used to resolve some personal issues.

“He claimed that after she concluded her use of the number, she deactivated the WhatsApp account and later informed him.

“However, he later began receiving multiple messages on the same line, which eventually caused WhatsApp to log him out of his own account.

“Upon contacting Misturah, she told him that she had used the account to settle issues between herself and her husband, one Ridwan, who is based in South Africa.”

Confronted with Daniel’s confession after a police invitation, Misturah was said to have admitted to faking her kidnapping to extort money from her husband.

It was further gathered that findings also led to the recovery of the iPhone 12 Pro Max, which she earlier claimed was with the kidnappers.

“The phone was recovered from one Yusuf Sodiq, 34, to whom she allegedly sold it for N380,000. She warned the buyer not to insert any SIM card into the device until a later time,” the source added.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the state police command, Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the incident.

“Investigations are ongoing, and appropriate charges will be filed at the conclusion of the probe,” she said.


 

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu Rewards 177 Public Servants With Cars And N165.5 Million


No Less than 177 outstanding public servants in Lagos State were yesterday rewarded by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. 

Five of the 99 selected senior civil servants won brand-new cars in a raffle draw, while 94 received N1 million each. In the junior category, five outstanding staff received N5 million each, while 73 received N500,000 each.

Sanwo-Olu also announced the promotion of the Director-General of the Office of Transformation, Creativity and Innovation, Mrs Toyin Anjous-Ademuyiwa, to the position of a Permanent Secretary and announced a donation of N10 million to staff of the Office for putting Lagos on the national and global landscape.

The cars and cash gifts were announced and presented during the 2025 Mr. Governor’s luncheon with outstanding officers of Lagos State Public Service selected across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), including Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) of the State.

Speaking during the event held at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, in Ikeja, Governor Sanwo-Olu urged public servants in the State to remain diligent and consistent in discharging their duties and to show excellence, noting that hard work would not go unnoticed.

Sanwo-Olu, who implored public servants not to relent in their dedication, commitment and consistency in the discharge of their duties, encouraged the awardees to continue to show excellence and keep up their good work always.

The governor said the recognition of outstanding officers was a deliberate effort to reward excellence and encourage consistency in service delivery. He urged them to identify their strengths, continually refine them, and remain committed to high standards, stressing that excellence must be sustained over time.

Sanwo-Olu noted that the achievements recorded across the state were the result of collective effort, adding that public service remains central to effective governance and development.

Speaking earlier, the Lagos State Head of Service, Mr. Bode Agoro, noted that the 177 outstanding officers in both junior and senior categories were selected after a rigorous and transparent process out of 312 nominations from different MDAs.

Agoro, who commended Sanwo-Olu for his unwavering support, leadership, and commitment to the welfare of public servants, enjoined the staff to exhibit a high sense of responsibility, diligence, and commitment to duty.

He said the luncheon marked the grand finale of the 2025 Public Service Week, which featured medical screenings, fitness walks, donations to children with disabilities, long-service awards, a government lecture, and talent competitions.


 

Sunday, 14 December 2025

8-Month Baby, Woman Perish In Accident Along Ikorodu Road


A tragic road accident on Ikorodu Road has claimed the lives of an eight-month-old baby and an adult female passenger, while ten others sustained injuries.

The incident occurred early today, Sunday, opposite Olabode House, after Anthony and before Obanikoro, when a red long Tata commercial bus travelling from Palmgroove toward Anthony lost mechanical and directional control.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority confirmed this in a statement signed by its Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, Adebayo Taofiq.

“Preliminary findings indicate that a red long Tata commercial bus propelled at an excessive and perilous velocity from Palmgroove inward Anthony, suddenly lost mechanical and directional control.

“In a catastrophic sequence of events, the bus veered off its lane, violently breached the median barrier and careened into the opposing carriageway, where it forcefully collided with a moving Volkswagen commercial bus conveying passengers from Anthony toward Palmgroove.

“The sheer violence of the impact resulted in the instantaneous death of an adult female passenger aboard the Volkswagen bus, while an eight-month-old female infant tragically succumbed to injuries sustained in the collision.

“The untimely and heartrending loss of such tender and innocent lives has plunged the entire corridor and indeed the wider community into profound mourning,” the statement read.

In response, LASTMA operatives, with assistance from members of the public, coordinated the rescue of ten victims, including the drivers of both vehicles.

“A total of ten (10) victims, including the drivers of both vehicles, were successfully extricated from the mangled wreckage, all sustaining varying degrees of serious injuries.

“Six (6) trapped passengers were rescued from the Volkswagen commercial bus, while four (4) others were evacuated from the red Tata bus,” the statement added.

The injured were immediately transported to nearby medical facilities by the Lagos State Ambulance Service.

Taofiq explained that security was provided by the Ilupeju Police Division, while the State Environmental Health Monitoring Unit recovered the bodies of the deceased.

LASTMA General Manager, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed deep condolences to the families, particularly the mother of the deceased infant, who survived but sustained serious injuries.

He described the crash as a moment of collective grief and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

Bakare-Oki urged motorists, especially commercial drivers, to observe speed limits, maintain vehicle roadworthiness—particularly braking systems—and exercise caution on Lagos roads.

“Recklessness on the road remains a deadly menace with irreversible consequences,” he said, reaffirming LASTMA’s commitment to proactive traffic management, rapid emergency response, and public education on road safety.


 

Orca Mall, Africa's Biggest Shopping Mall, Springs Up From The Heart Of Eko Atlantic City


Orca Mall recently officially opened its doors to the public. The event was attended by the Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu; the Deputy Governor, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat; former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN; and the CEO of the Nigerian Investment Promotion Commission, Mrs Aisha Rimi, among other distinguished guests.

A special recognition went to ITB Construction and the Eko Atlantic City development team, whose work and technical expertise made the project possible.

From inspiring speeches to the ceremonial ribbon-cutting and guided tours of the extensive showroom, the opening signalled a new chapter for retail, design, and customer experience in Lagos.

Orca Mall  is undoubtably Africa’s biggest home-and-lifestyle showroom that’s setting a new benchmark for retail design, scale, and ambition.

Standing proudly in the heart of Eko Atlantic City, the monumental ORCA Showroom reflects years of investment, planning, and a belief in what Nigeria’s future can hold.

Spanning four floors and more than 50,000 square metres, with over 100,000 products on display, ORCA is now Africa’s largest home-and-lifestyle showroom under one roof.

At the centre of the project are Ambassador Gilbert Chagoury and Ronald Chagoury (Chagoury Group), Moufid Karameh (Mikano Group), and Jawal Kaawar (Orca Group), whose decades-long vision and long commitment to Nigeria’s growth shaped the development of this space. Kaawar has expanded Orca Deco across more than 22 African countries, and the Lagos showroom marks another major step in that journey.



 

Friday, 12 December 2025

Real Reasons I Am Quitting International Football - William Troost-Ekong


The weight of expectation and subsequent pressure to deliver is one that's now synonymous with international football.

Fans of all countries rest their dreams on a team of 11, a squad of 23 in total, and a manager tying it all together to achieve national pride.

When that doesn't happen, chaos ensues. Superstars who were once national heroes for their successes across the globe are quickly labelled villains and become the focal point of what can be an inescapable abuse.

Sometimes, the scriptwriters leave the fate of a nation to the finest of margins. A penalty shoot-out, a late goal, a refereeing decision. Or sometimes the issues tell a tale of wider infrastructural oversights.

For William Troost-Ekong, the now former captain of Nigeria after he decided to call time on a decade-long career as a Super Eagle, that "pressure was a privilege."

The centre-back will not be at the Africa Cup of Nations. His international retirement came as a shock to many Nigerians.

Most, who looked forward to righting the wrongs of the 2023 final defeat against Ivory Coast and their most recent failure to reach the World Cup for the second consecutive time, have been left bewildered by the timing. However, it's a decision that Troost-Ekong has battled with for some time.

"I just felt like the right time for me," Troost-Ekong told Sky Sports.

"It feels like a chapter is closing. But I also feel happy, I feel proud. I've had such a great run with the Super Eagles to be part of the team for over 10 years.

"It's been such a big part of my identity, something I've been so proud of. Just to be part of the team is one of the biggest honours that I've had in my life so far.

"For me to grow into becoming a captain of the team is something that I couldn't have even imagined at the start of it.

"It's bittersweet, but it just felt like the right time for me."

Troost-Ekong retires as Nigeria's ninth-most capped player, with 83 appearances to his name.

His time with the national team was a rollercoaster. There were highs interlinked with the lows, along with doubts and disagreements. Troost-Ekong was part of a Nigeria team that earned a bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics before achieving third place at the 2021 AFCON.

In 2023, he led Nigeria to the AFCON final as captain, becoming the competition's highest-scoring defender ever while also being named Player of the Tournament. A career highlight, scoring in the final to open the scoring, became a low, shipping two goals to hosts Ivory Coast, and losing as favourites for the competition.

"It feels surreal," Troost-Ekong says as he describes the feeling of dragging his nation to an AFCON final.

"I think maybe because I already had the first thoughts about stopping at that time. I was probably more emotional.

"I wasn't in the best relationship with the coach that we had at the time, even though we made up afterwards and I went to the tournament.

"So to be there, I was just trying to enjoy it as much as I could because I kind of said to myself, 'this would be my last tournament'.

"It wasn't until we finished the tournament, and I thought, wow, that was something really special to be a part of. And I think I managed to show my best version and lead the team as well as I could."

Troost-Ekong was in tears after the final whistle blew in Abidjan. But as his sorrow turned to pride, anger from fans who felt their team should have won turned to abuse, platformed by a harsh Nigerian media.

Fulham duo Calvin Bassey and Alex Iwobi felt the full brunt of the abuse as their Premier League status came with expectation that they failed to deliver upon.

An unforgiving media alongside a passionate fanbase is a recipe for disaster when things don't go your way.

"Was the media scrutiny too much? Maybe at times. When I got older, I kind of had to learn how to deal with that.

"And I think the best way is through experiencing it. I think you have to share that. I don't think you've got to take that upon yourself because it's not just me playing in the team.

"But as a team, my role was definitely growing in that and change because you have to try and absorb that and try to keep everyone level-headed.

"It's difficult to do because there are so many moving parts, whether it's the manager, whether it's within the federation, or of course, the fans who want the best for the team and are so passionate, which is also the beauty of Nigerian football.

"It can be a lot sometimes. So, I think you just try to create a circle around the team and you treat that as a family."

Troost-Ekong has stepped away from the "family" in a playing capacity but believes the foundations have been laid to achieve success. However, Nigeria haven't won the tournament since 2013. Every year spent without the trophy since has spelt failure for a nation consistently among the favourites and among the competition's most valuable squads.

Having said that, players such as Iwobi and Bassey have grown more mature.

Victor Osimhen's performances at the height of the European game have sustained, while the likes of Ademola Lookman and Wilfried Ndidi will hope to play a key role this AFCON.

"I feel like there's been a gradual passing of the baton from where I am as one of the leaders and captain of the team," Troost-Ekong said.

"It's time to step away and let the next generation and the boys I've been playing with for the last years give them a chance to write their own story.

"The team are very well placed to achieve something at this AFCON.

"The last AFCON taught us so much. Of course, losing that, you learn a lot. You understand how to play that occasion better when it comes.

"I think the team will be unfazed now until that moment and they'll definitely want to put those wrongs right.

"I'll be there to support them as much as I can because I think if we have a chance to win the AFCON now in Morocco, I would still feel like I've been a part of that generation, the set of players, even though I wouldn't be there at that moment.

"It would be a beautiful way to kind of crown the generation of players that we've had now and also give them the respect that they, over the years, probably deserved. But you need to earn it. There's been a golden set before 2013 that won it."

Culled from Sky Sports

 

Government Should Penalize Wives Who Provoke Their Husbands - Nollywood Actress, Esther Nwachukwu


Nollywood actress Esther Nwachukwu has called for sanctions against wives who habitually provoke their husbands. Speaking on the various marital crises in the entertainment industry, she said, “Women should not provoke men to anger. In fact, the government should start sanctioning women for their provocative behaviour in marriage.”

According to the actress, women should not only speak up when abused but also when men treat them well.

“Women speaking up when they are abused is fine. But they should also acknowledge when men do their best for them. Men are barely cared for. All fingers point at men when things go wrong, but nobody considers what women do. If things are good, women are applauded; if bad, men are blamed. No one cares for these men.”

She also explained her involvement in Regina Daniels and Ned Nwoko’s marriage controversy.

“Regina Daniels has nothing to lose; she’s young and may end up marrying a white man. But she has publicly disgraced Ned Nwoko and damaged his reputation. I am convinced Ned would lose the next election.”


 

I Will Never Marry Again - Nollywood Actress, Regina Daniels


Nollywood actress Regina Daniels says she can never marry again, having lost faith in the marriage institution. Daniels said she feels “traumatised” by the idea of marriage following her ongoing marital crisis with her estranged husband, Senator Ned Nwoko.

Regina revealed this in a recently-uploaded video on her Facebook account which she captioned “God is my guyy shaaa, and I’m his special last born”. Her post prompted followers to ask questions about her future.

When asked if she would consider marrying another man, Daniels replied without hesitation: “Nopeee! Traumatized with that institution.”

On whether she misses her husband and children, she said, “I no get strength to add effort pepper person. My waking up every day na tatashe but yes I freakinggggg missssss my kids.”

The couple’s private troubles spilt into the public domain in October when a video surfaced showing Daniels in tears, alleging she was a victim of domestic violence. Nwoko swiftly denied the claims, insisting instead that his wife was battling drug and alcohol addiction.

Daniels later acknowledged her involvement with hard drugs but accused the lawmaker of engineering her dependency as a means of manipulation and control.

The movie star has two male children with Nwoko.


 

Nobody Died, No Injuries Recorded In Ejigbo Hoodlums Attack - Police


The Lagos State Police Command has refuted media reports suggesting that a death and injuries were recorded when hoodlums invaded Ajebo community, near Agbowa in the Ikosi-Ejirin Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

In a statement on Friday, the Lagos police spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, said the reports were not only untrue and misleading but highly mischievous.

“The Lagos State Police Command wishes to categorically set the record straight and correct the mischievous, untrue, and misleading report by ‘Newtelegraphng’ alleging that Ajebo community was invaded by armed hoodlums who destroyed properties, injured residents, and fired gunshots indiscriminately,” Adebisi said.

She explained that the incidents that occurred are a land dispute between two families within the Ajebo community that led to chaos and confusion in the village.

Adebisi stated that upon receiving the report, the police joint intervention teams comprising the Tactical Squads, the PMF Anti-Riots Police personnel, conventional police personnel from Agbowa Division, Area N Command, and other special Police units from the Lagos Police Command Headquarters as well as others stationed at Agbowa were immediately deployed to the location.

According to her, normalcy was promptly restored, and the people of the community continued to go about their normal business and other activities of livelihood.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has directed a prompt intervention and investigation into the incident.

Adebisi said preliminary investigation revealed that the disturbance and clashes within the village stemmed from a land dispute between two contending families, and not an attack by gunmen against the community.

“No life was lost and no injuries were inflicted on anyone or the people of the village before and during the clashes before normalcy was restored and is currently being sustained,” she clarified.

“The Command further wishes to reaffirm that there was no firing of any firearm or guns during the incident, contrary to the claims circulated in the report.

“No death or injury was also recorded, and there was no invasion of the community by any armed group from anywhere.

“The detachments of Police Officers and other tactical Squads intervened and acted swiftly, professionally, and immediately restored peace and tranquility throughout the community. Peace has since returned to the area.”

She added that the leadership of the two parties involved in the land dispute has been identified and served police invitations to report for investigation at the office of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, immediately.

They have also been strongly warned to remain peaceful and that the police will not hesitate to apply the full weight of the law on troublemakers.

Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner of Police, CP Jimoh, has implored and cautioned members of the public against spreading misinformation, and urged the writer of the story to desist from publishing reports that are incorrect, misleading, and capable of causing unnecessary fear and panic.

He has also stressed the need for responsible reporting for the benefit of the public, while reassuring residents of the affected community, and Lagos State in general, of the command’s unwavering commitment to maintaining peace, security, and order across Lagos State at all times.