Bigoted And Hopeless Morons From South-east Fabricating Ethnic Agenda From Fire Incidents In Lagos - Sanwo-Olu's Aide

Wale Ajetunmobi, a Senior Special Assistant on Media to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said it has become a routine “for some hopeless individuals from the Southeast” to fabricate an agenda from every fire incident in Lagos markets, even when the fires are caused by unsafe practices by the very people affected.

“These bigoted morons will come here to create misleading narratives that falsely portray all traders across Lagos major markets as Igbo, Sanwo-Olu’s aide lamented in a post on X.

Describing their attitude as disgusting, Ajetunmobi pointed out that the misbegotten individuals have no understanding of Lagos market composition, “yet they are quick to spread senseless opinions to make the fire tragedies appear as deliberate arson.”

This was after an X user, Obiasogu David @afrisagacity, lamented that “in just seven days, three different markets dominated by Igbo businesses have been razed down by strange fire, with billions of naira lost.”

Obiasogu listed the markets to include Balogun Market, Arena Market Oshodi, and Ikotun Market, noting that the occurrence couldn’t be a mere coincidence of misfortune.”

Reacting, Sanwo-Olu’s aide accused Obiasogu of trying to make the recent fires recorded in some major markets in Lagos seem like deliberate sabotage by the Yoruba against Igbo businesses. “A lot of them have pushed the same narrative in the past few days,” he stressed.

“While this pathetic rat sits in his rustic village hut, tweeting nonsense from his insane mind, he is completely unaware that the GNI building in Balogun Market, where the fire started, is owned by Oodu’a Group — a Yoruba corporation. Do the Yoruba need to set fire to their own 24-storey building because of anyone? This kind of knee-jerk action has never been part of our history.

“This misbegotten Obidient rat also doesn’t know that the fire from GNI building had greater negative impacts on Yoruba traders in the market. One of my colleague SSAs in Lagos State Government had his wife’s shops (yes, shops) burnt down in the plaza backing the GNI building.

“A friend living in Abuja (Seyi Babaeko) also called me days ago, detailing his sister’s multi-million Naira loss in the fire.

“One of the oldest mosques in Lagos, Shitta-Bey Mosque on Martins Street — dating back to the early 19th century — was completely razed by the fire. The mosque sat adjacent to the GNI building,” he said.

Unsafe practices by traders in Lagos markets

Ajetunmobi then listed the unsafe practices common with shop owners in Lagos markets and other reasons for frequent fire outbreaks in the state.

He lamented that traders in Balogun Market often place industrial generators on the 4th, 5th, and 6th floors of high-rise buildings that have been converted into warehouses.

He said the traders stored inflammable materials in poorly ventilated rooms without considering the dangers.

“They placed GeePee tanks with flammable contents next to running generators on upper floors of multi-storey buildings. Traders used every available space, including staircases, as storage rooms, leaving no room for safe evacuation in case of an emergency.

“Traders are illegally tapping electricity from distant locations to the market and trading behind electric transformers. They also store combustible materials close to transformers.

“What exactly are these traders’ actions expected to lead to? Whenever a fire breaks out due to these unsafe practices, hopeless bigots from the Southeast will take the opportunity to push senseless victim agenda, as though their people are the only ones trading in affected markets,” he said.

He pointed out that Yoruba, Hausa, Igala, Ibibio and other ethnic groups trading in the razed markets are equally guilty and affected by the disaster as any other group.

“These bigoted individuals from the Southeast also overlooked the fact that Lagos State Government conducts advocacy campaigns in markets throughout September and into the dry season (end of the year), when scorching weather is experienced. These campaigns aim to ensure traders follow rules and practice safe trading.

“Anyone who now claims these market fire tragedies were deliberately planned against only Igbo traders or anyone else is simply crying wolf. These divisive narrative promoters have nothing anywhere beyond their smartphones used for posting the senseless agenda,” he said.

 

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Why We Deployed Officers Along The Coastal Road - Lagos CP

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Olohundare Jimoh, has assured residents and commuters of enhanced security and smooth traffic on the new coastal road, following the deployment of personnel.

Speaking with journalists on Wednesday during a Show of Force exercise on Victoria Island, Jimoh said that the coastal road was opened to ease traffic congestion and reduce the hardship faced by commuters travelling to Lekki and other parts of Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the police command immediately deployed officers to the route to ensure effective traffic control and the safety of lives and property.

According to him, the absence of adequate security deployment at the initial opening of the road had led to traffic violations, including one-way driving, which caused gridlock and accidents.

The commissioner said the situation had been brought under control following the deployment of over 30 patrol teams, each made up of six armed police officers, as well as about 20 tactical squads stationed along the road.

“From the commencement of the opening of this road till now, there has been no threat of crime and no record of serious or fatal accidents; compliance by road users has significantly improved,” he said.

The police boss noted that the police personnel had been placed on a 24-hour duty along the route to sustain safety and order.

 “The entire area, including adjoining locations such as recreational centres, beaches and event venues, is now safe for lawful activities without fear of harassment or criminal attack,” he said.

Jimoh urged residents, commuters and estate users to continue to make use of the coastal road, assuring them of its security and accessibility.

He said the police would sustain the deployment as construction work on the road continues and as normal work activities resume.

 

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Multiple Sexual Scandals: PFN Pressurizes Pastor Chris Okafor To Step Down From Ministerial Duties

The Senior Pastor of the Mountain of Liberation and Miracles Ministries, Chris Okafor, has stepped down from pastoral duties amid growing outrage over multiple sexual allegations against him.

The cleric had last Sunday publicly apologised to an actress, Doris Ogala, during a service at his church, where he knelt on the pulpit, admitted to past “mistakes,” and sought forgiveness.

The development follows his wedding to a new bride, identified simply as Pearl, on December 16, 2025, and attended by prominent clerics.

Okafor was said to have gone ahead with the ceremony despite Ogala’s viral accusations of betrayal, emotional manipulation and reneging on a promise of marriage after a long-term relationship.

As the allegations escalated on social media in recent weeks, with more women coming forward with different narrations, Saturday PUNCH gathered that respected leaders in the Christian community pressured Okafor to step down in order to douse tension.

A senior executive of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, who is close to the pastor, confirmed this to newsmen.

“There are more things to be done in terms of disciplinary actions,” the official added.

The source explained that the festive period had slowed down deliberations within the PFN on the scandal, as meetings could not be convened to formally discuss the matter.

“Meetings could not be held to deliberate on actions against him (Okafor). But from the pressure from some of the leaders in the body of Christ, he has stepped down for a month. I believe that before the month ends, some decisions would have been made concerning him,” the official stated.

When asked if the PFN would investigate the allegations against the pastor, the official said, “I don’t think it is the PFN that should do that. We are not the police, nor are we a law enforcement agency. If there is an allegation of rape against a pastor, it is not the PFN that should investigate it. I want Nigerians to get this right: even if we do any form of inquiry, we cannot arrest anyone. This is a criminal case, and the government should step in.

“However, this does not mean that PFN does not act in situations like this. What PFN or the body of Christ can do is what we call spiritual pressure and discipline; there are other areas where the police should investigate. PFN does not have the statutory power to investigate or arrest when it comes to criminal allegations.”

He added that although PFN was engaging the issue quietly, its actions should not be misconstrued as a formal investigation.

“On Pastor Okafor’s matter, there are a lot of things PFN is doing behind the scenes, but I don’t want to call these things an investigation. It is not for public consumption for now. His stepping down is part of the action that PFN and the body of Christ pressured him to take.

“When we saw the enormity of the allegations, and it was already looking like a criminal matter, we had to step in and do our part, but the government also has to play its role,” the source added.

However, the pastor, during his sermon at the church’s New Year crossover service on Wednesday night, said his decision to step down was for spiritual renewal.

“I will be resting. It would be time for personal retreat with God and time for me and my wife to rest,” the pastor told his congregation.

“Since our wedding, we have not rested. We have not had time. We have not even done our honeymoon. So, we are stepping aside to pray, to have a retreat and to rest from this January, and to return better and stronger from the presence of the Lord.”

Okafor said the break, which he noted did not mean he would be totally absent from church activities, would last until February.

The flurry of allegations against the cleric began on December 14 when actress Ogala posted several emotional videos on her Instagram page.

In the clips, she accused the pastor of having sexual relationship with her, which allegedly began in 2017 and lasted for nine years.

The actress said the cleric promised her marriage many times before marrying another woman in December 2025.

In the videos, she also accused Okafor of sharing her explicit videos and photos.

She said the pastor contributed to the breakdown of her previous marriage and caused her emotional distress and financial loss.

The actress also shared some bedroom photos and screenshots of conversations, with videos claiming the pastor sent her $10,000 to retract her statements and claim that a rival pastor orchestrated the accusations.

She later demanded N1bn in damages via a legal notice filed through her legal team, alleging threats and intimidation after she was arrested and detained by the police.

As the scandal escalated, some other women also alleged sexual misconduct, manipulation, infidelity and related issues against the pastor.

One of them was his former wife, Bessem Okafor, who accused Okafor of infidelity, deception and physical assault.

Speaking in an interview with popular YouTuber, Aunty Adunni, the woman said she left the cleric 14 years ago due to the shame from his alleged actions.

In another video shared on Aunty Adunni’s YouTube channel, a lady identified simply as Ebere, said to be a former member of Okafor’s church choir, also accused him of having secret affairs with her.

The lady said her relationship with the pastor started around 2015 and lasted for many years, during which she allegedly had four abortions for him.

Ebere claimed the pastor promised her marriage multiple times but backed out, adding that she eventually kept one pregnancy for him, which resulted in a child.

Few days ago, a video surfaced on Instagram in which another lady made fresh allegations against Okafor.

She accused the pastor of having sexual relations with her and her sister, which she said resulted in pregnancies.

The lady claimed that the children involved resembled the pastor, calling for a DNA test to confirm her claims and insisting that she had evidence to support her allegations.

A social media activist, Martin Otse, aka VeryDarkMan, also shared an audio clip via his Instagram page a few days to Christmas, in which a lady, Chidera Okafor, who claimed to be the pastor’s daughter, accused him of making amorous advances towards her in the house.

She said the situation forced her to flee their home in 2020 after she reported the matter to her mother.

However, the claim was dismissed by the pastor in a viral video that gained traction during the week.

The Lagos State Police Command has said it cannot arrest the embattled pastor because there has been no formal petition against him from the victims.

 

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Parts Of Lagos Where One-Room Apartments Now Go For N8 Million, N10 Million, N20.9 Million - Report

One-bedroom apartment rents in Lagos  climbed to as high as ₦20.9m annually in 2025, with premium Island locations recording the steepest increases, according to the Lagos Residential Market Report 2025

The report by Edala Development showed that Eko Atlantic City recorded the highest one-bedroom rent in the state at ₦20.9m. Banana Island followed at ₦10m, while Ikoyi and Victoria Island recorded average rents of ₦8m and ₦7.5m, respectively.

Lekki Phase I recorded an average of ₦4.5m for one-bedroom apartments, while Lekki Peninsula II stood at ₦3.5m. On the Mainland, Ikeja recorded ₦3.2m, Yaba ₦2.2m, while Ajah and Gbagada stood at ₦2m each.

Lower one-bedroom rents were recorded in Surulere at ₦1.5m, Apapa at ₦1.3m, Ketu and Shomolu at ₦1.1m each, and Oshodi at ₦840,000. Agege recorded ₦755,000, Mushin ₦735,000, Ikorodu ₦555,000, Epe ₦400,000 and Badagry ₦358,000.

The report also showed that two-bedroom apartment rents followed a similar pattern across Lagos. Eko Atlantic City recorded the highest average rent at ₦26.6m, while Banana Island stood at ₦15.5m. Ikoyi and Victoria Island recorded ₦15m and ₦12.5m, respectively.

Lekki Phase I recorded ₦8.5m for two-bedroom apartments, while Ikeja stood at ₦5.2m. On the Mainland, Ajah recorded ₦3.2m, Yaba ₦3m and Gbagada ₦2.6m. Lower rents were recorded in Surulere at ₦2m, Shomolu ₦2.1m and Festac ₦1.5m. Ikorodu, Epe and Badagry recorded ₦815,000, ₦605,000 and ₦575,000, respectively.

For three-bedroom apartments, Eko Atlantic again topped the list with an average rent of ₦35.3m, followed by Banana Island at ₦27.5m and Ikoyi at ₦25.5m. Victoria Island recorded ₦15m, while Lekki Phase I stood at ₦11.2m.

On the Mainland, Ikeja recorded ₦6m for three-bedroom apartments, Yaba ₦3.4m, Gbagada ₦3.3m and Ajah ₦3.8m. Surulere recorded ₦2.4m, Mushin ₦1.7m and Ikorodu ₦1.1m, while Badagry and Epe recorded ₦673,000 and ₦705,000 respectively.

Studio apartment rents also remained high in prime locations. Eko Atlantic City recorded ₦14.2m, Banana Island ₦5.1m and Ikoyi ₦4.2m. Lekki Phase I stood at ₦2.7m, Ikeja ₦2.1m and Yaba ₦1.5m.

More affordable studio apartments were found in Ikorodu at ₦375,000, Epe at ₦275,000 and Badagry at ₦150,000, while Agege and Oshodi recorded ₦575,000 and ₦580,000 respectively.

Commenting on the figures, Edala Development said the rental surge reflects broader economic pressures and a widening gap between Lagos Island and the Mainland.

“This year has been defined by continued economic shifts and evolving market dynamics. The Lagos real estate sector has not only weathered policy shocks and elevated interest rates but has also adapted, demonstrating resilience and renewed investor confidence. Success in this market now requires more than capital; it demands insight into the widening gap between high-end Island neighbourhoods and the fast-growing Mainland,” the report stated.

It added that despite easing inflation, cost pressures remain high. “The operating environment remains challenging. Inflation has eased to 16.05% as of October 2025, down from 33.88% in late 2024, yet the Monetary Policy Rate remains elevated at 27%. Despite this, the residential sector continues to expand,” the report said.

According to the report, construction activity rose in 2025. “Construction activity has also picked up, reflected in a 9.9% jump in nominal output in Q1 2025. Latest data from the NBS indicate that this momentum remains positive, with real-term growth of 5.57% recorded in Q3 2025,” it added.

The report noted that rental pressures are strongest in specific locations. “We spotlight the submarkets driving activity from the dollar-denominated resilience of Eko Atlantic and Banana Island to the high rental demand Yaba and Surulere,” it stated.

Edala Development also said future housing trends would be shaped by infrastructure and affordability concerns. “We explore the ongoing debate between luxury and value, assess the impact of new coastal infrastructure, and analyze the persistent price gap between landlords and tenants,” the report said.

 

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Sanwo-Olu Again Visits Great Nigeria Building Fire Incident Site, Confirms 8 Now Dead

The fatality figure from the Great Nigeria Building fire incident has now risen to eight. This was disclosed by Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday when he, for the second time, visited the scene of the incident along Martins street. The governor also used the occasion to order decisive measures, including the demolition of unsafe structures in the vicinity.

Sanwo-Olu, who described the incident as tragic and deeply painful, led members of his entourage in observing a minute of silence in honour of those who lost their lives. He attributed the outbreak of the fire to human error and stressed the need for stricter compliance with safety regulations in commercial and residential buildings across the state.

The governor, who disclosed that several adjoining structures along Martins, Shitta and Breadfruit streets were affected by the fire, said multiple generators were found on different floors of nearby shopping plazas, noting that such unsafe practices significantly increase fire risks and endanger lives.

According to him, the government will not hesitate to take tough decisions, including the demolition of any structure that fails integrity tests after thorough technical assessments.

Sanwo-Olu warned residents, traders and passers-by against entering the area, pending a phased and carefully controlled demolition of the affected structure, especially as safety agencies would continue to secure the location to prevent secondary disasters.

He implored traders and business owners to prioritise their lives over material assets during emergencies, noting that some of the victims were initially safely evacuated but reportedly returned to retrieve goods before being trapped.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) has set up a help desk at the scene to record reports of missing persons whose shops or businesses were in the affected plaza. The agency is working with other emergency responders to ensure proper documentation and support for affected families.

Sanwo-Olu was accompanied on the inspection by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso; Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr Gbenga Oyerinde; Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu; General Manager of the Lagos Command and Control Centre, Mr Femi Kennedy-Giwa; and other senior government officials.

At the time of the visit, Martins Street remained shut to business activities, with security personnel and emergency agencies maintaining a cordon around the area. The state government assured residents that further updates would be provided as recovery efforts and structural assessments continue.

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Twist Of Event: Truck Driver Killed By An Over-speeding Motorist Along Lekki-Epe Expressway

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has announced a fatal road traffic occurrence at Shangotedo inward Eleko, along the Lekki–Epe Expressway involving an overturned, fully-laden 40-foot containerised truck (T-7740-LA).

Preliminary security findings indicate that the articulated truck lost balance and capsized at the location. Upon receipt of distress notifications, the LASTMA 24-Hour Night Gang, actively monitoring vehicular flow overnight within the corridor, swiftly deployed to the scene and immediately secured the accident zone to forestall secondary collisions and safeguard road users.

In a deeply distressing turn of events, while the truck driver was conscientiously attempting to deploy a “C” caution sign to alert oncoming motorists, a recklessly speeding vehicle struck him. The errant driver absconded without rendering assistance, leaving the victim grievously injured. The force of the impact led to the instantaneous demise of the truck driver.

In a statement, the Director of the Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq, said LASTMA’s rescue operatives promptly evacuated the deceased from the carriageway and formally handed over the remains to officers of the Elemoro Police Station, which responded following an emergency alert from LASTMA personnel. A comprehensive investigation is presently underway to identify, track and prosecute the fleeing culprit.

The General Manager, LASTMA, Olalekan Bakare-Oki, visited the scene of the incident and conveyed his deepest condolences to the bereaved family, lamenting the occurrence as a heartbreaking yet preventable tragedy.

He sternly cautioned motorists to exercise heightened safety consciousness, comply strictly with traffic laws, and observe regulated speed limits as stipulated by the Lagos State Government, stressing that excessive speed and disregard for warning signs remain lethal contributors to road fatalities.

LASTMA reaffirms its unwavering resolve to enforce road safety regulations and passionately appeals to all motorists to uphold patience, vigilance, and reverence for human life, especially during emergency situations on the highways.

 

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"I Don't Have A Child With Another Man", Omawunmi, Mohbad's Widow Dispels Rumour

Omowunmi, the widow of late singer Ilerioluwa Oladimeji Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad, has dismissed claims circulating on social media that she recently welcomed a second child with another man.

The rumour, which emerged on X, alleged that Omowunmi had given birth to a baby girl, triggering widespread reactions online. While some users defended her right to move on, others criticised her for allegedly having another child before her husband’s burial.

Reacting via her Snapchat account, Omowunmi described the claim as a “smear campaign” targeted at damaging her reputation.

“You guys are funny on Twitter. Mohbad’s wife gave birth? This smear campaign is funny asf,” she wrote.

“Why are you wishing me bad? Because what is this?” she added.

Mohbad died on September 12, 2023, under controversial circumstances. His death remains under investigation, with his body reportedly still in the mortuary pending burial.

Following the unresolved circumstances surrounding the singer’s death and allegations of infidelity levelled against Omowunmi, Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba, had earlier demanded a DNA test to confirm the paternity of Liam, the couple’s only son.

 

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"Stop Referring To Me As Davido's Wife", Sophia Momodu Tells Fans

Sophia Momodu, entrepreneur and mother of Davido’s first child Imade, has cautioned fans and content creators against addressing her as the singer’s wife, stressing that such references are inaccurate and disrespectful.

Speaking in a recent video broadcast, Momodu said that although she and Davido ended their relationship years ago and the musician is now married, some members of the public still refer to her as his spouse.

She noted that the label makes her uncomfortable and urged people to respect personal decisions and boundaries, adding that she has long moved on from the relationship.

According to her, continued association with a past chapter of her life ignores the reality of the present and undermines the need to respect existing marriages.

“I once met a content creator who started hailing me as ‘Mama Imade, OBO [Davido’s] wife’ upon seeing me. I was shocked because I am not his wife.

“Stop referring to me as Davido’s wife. Let’s respect people’s marriages and rules. If people have moved on, allow them to move on in peace. Allow me to move on in peace. Everyone is happy and doing what they are supposed to do,” Momodu said.

Last year, Davido filed for joint custody of their daughter, Imade, but later withdrew the suit after Momodu responded with a counterclaim. She argued that Davido and his wife, Chioma, were unfit parents following the death of their son, Ifeanyi, who drowned in a swimming pool while under their care.

 

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Millions Of Naira Lost As Fire Guts Four Shops In Ikotun

Four shops dealing in electronics in a building at Ikotun in Lagos State, early on New Year’s Day, were burnt to the extent that all goods in the shops were destroyed.

The shops are all in a building situated beside GUO Transport Company, Ikotun.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) gathered that the items included washing machines, television sets, and power generators.

A man who lives near the building told NAN that neighbours were able to prevent the fire from spreading to other parts of the building.

He said that the neighbours used a lot of water to try to put out the fire before the Lagos State Fire Service intervened.

He thanked firefighters for the role they played in putting out the fire and preventing it from razing the whole building.

“If not for their timely intervention, the whole building would have burnt, and the fire would have affected our own,” he said.

The man said that he could not ascertain the cause of the fire but suspected a faulty electric circuit.

According to NAN, the area had been cordoned off. No casualty was recorded.

 

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Tinubu Taking Tough Decisions In National Interest - Lagos APC

The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has expressed support for President Bola Tinubu’s New Year address, describing it as a reaffirmation of the administration’s commitment to economic reforms and national renewal.

In a statement on Wednesday, the party said it aligned fully with the direction outlined by the President, noting that the reforms being pursued were necessary to address long-standing structural challenges in the country.

According to the Lagos APC, President Tinubu’s message underscored the responsibility of leadership to take difficult decisions in the national interest, rather than prioritising short-term popularity. The party argued that the administration was confronting economic and governance issues that had been avoided by previous governments.

The statement said the President demonstrated an understanding of the scale of Nigeria’s challenges and the need for sustained reforms, adding that the Renewed Hope Agenda represented a departure from what it described as years of fiscal indiscipline and economic mismanagement.

The Lagos APC also pointed to what it described as early signs of progress, including stabilising macroeconomic indicators, renewed investor interest, increased infrastructure activity, and ongoing efforts to improve national security. It maintained that these developments were outcomes of policy decisions taken by the current administration.

While acknowledging criticism from opposition parties, the APC said the government would remain focused on implementing its reform agenda and would not be deterred by political pressure or public criticism. It described opposition reactions as predictable and urged Nigerians to remain patient as reforms take effect.

Emphasising Lagos State’s experience with economic and structural reforms, the party said the state understood the demands and sacrifices associated with long-term development. It added that the Lagos APC would continue to support the federal government’s policy direction.

The statement called on Nigerians to remain united and focused, stressing that national renewal required discipline, consistency, and collective resolve.

It said: “The Lagos APC notes with satisfaction that despite the orchestrated hysteria of a disoriented opposition, Nigeria is recording measurable progress. Macroeconomic indicators are stabilising, investor confidence is rebounding, infrastructure investments are gaining momentum, and decisive steps are being taken to reclaim national security. These gains are not accidents; they are the early dividends of leadership that refuses to mortgage the future for applause.

“Let it be clearly stated: President Tinubu will not be stampeded, blackmailed, or distracted by those who have nothing to offer beyond recycled excuses and empty rhetoric. The same voices predicting doom today are the very architects of yesterday’s decay. Nigerians have seen this movie before and rejected it at the ballot box.

“As the political and economic heartbeat of the nation, Lagos stands solidly with the President. Lagos understands reform. Lagos has lived it. Lagos knows that progress demands discipline, patience, and sacrifice. That is why Lagos APC will continue to defend, support, and advance the President’s New Year direction without apology.

“We call on Nigerians to remain focused and resolute. The road to national renewal is being travelled with clarity of purpose and firmness of resolve. There will be no retreat. There will be no distraction. Nigeria is moving forward—whether the cynics like it or not.”

 

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