Oshodi Residents Protest Over Rising Gangsterism And Violent Clashes In The Area

Residents of Oshodi have staged a protest over violent gangsterism going on in that part of the state. On Sunday, a group of suspected thugs, reportedly codenamed “Seven Street”, attacked members of a rival Orile group, throwing the communities into panic as residents fled for safety. Properties worth millions of naira were destroyed during the violence.

According to eye-witness accounts, despite the presence of police stations within the vicinity, the situation has remained largely unchanged, allowing the gangs to continue their activities without fear. During the clash, several cars and buses had their windscreens shattered, while a mosque on Mosaku Street was also damaged by stones.

The protesting residents, mainly drawn from Orile, Mafoluku, Orona, Alimi-Oke, Mosaku, Owoseni and Adekunle streets, said the areas are gradually becoming hotspots for gang violence and breeding grounds for thugs.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed frustration that the neighbourhood had become a breeding ground for thugs, blaming parents for failing to provide proper supervision for their children. She said many of those involved were under 18 and warned that urgent steps must be taken to prevent them from becoming a threat to the community.

A 70-year-old resident, who also requested anonymity, recalled that similar incidents had occurred repeatedly over the years with little response from the local government authorities.

He said residents now live in fear, uncertain of when violence might erupt, adding that he once had to flee during an early morning prayer when clashes suddenly broke out in the area.

Another resident, lamenting the extent of damage caused by Sunday’s attack, appealed to the police and the local government chairman to intervene urgently, warning that rival groups might still be planning retaliatory attacks.

 

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Ladipo Market Shut Over Environmental Violations

Ladipo market, a spare parts market, where automobile parts are sold, has once again been shut by the Lagos state government over environmental violations. Ladipo Market is located along the Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road (Apapa–Oshodi Expressway). It is a market highly dominated by traders from the eastern part of the country. The state government said it was closing the market due to repeated environmental violations.

The closure was announced by the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, in a post shared on X.

 According to him, the action followed persistent violations, including indiscriminate disposal of refuse on road medians and highways, as well as illegal street trading.

“Lagos State government, this morning, sealed Ladipo Spare Parts Market along Murtala Muhammed International Airport Road (Apapa–Oshodi Expressway) over repeated environmental infractions; indiscriminate refuse disposal on the median/highway and illegal street trading,” he said.

Officials said the move underscores the government’s zero-tolerance stance on environmental degradation, improper waste management and activities that obstruct traffic and endanger public safety.

The state government has repeatedly warned traders and residents against street trading and unlawful waste disposal, stressing that enforcement actions would continue against defaulters across the metropolis.

Meanwhile, traders at the market have appealed to the Lagos State Government to reconsider the closure, lamenting that the closure has grounded business activities in the multibillion-naira market.

A trader, Leo Ugochukwu Ogbonna, said the notice of the planned action was short and poorly communicated. “We got information last Thursday that the government could seal part of the market, but this was the first time. The notice was too short and the message was not well passed,” he said.

Ogbonna, who is also the assistant manager of J&F Warehouse, added that traders had waste bins within the market but complained of irregular evacuation by the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA).

“We are not dumping refuse on the road, so our warehouse should not have been locked,” he said.

Another trader, Vincent Nduka, said the government acted rightly but stressed the need for traders to take responsibility. “The service lane is mostly congested by some traders, and the government wants to put things in order. The market will reopen soon, but we need to play our part,” he said.

He blamed the market management for allowing traders to spill onto the road and appealed for more waste bins to be provided to help keep the market clean.

Responding, LAWMA spokesperson Mukaila Sanusi said the agency had provided designated locations for waste disposal and regularly evacuated refuse from the market. He added that traders often violated the arrangement by dumping waste on the expressway median despite repeated warnings.

Sanusi said the continued disregard for environmental regulations prompted the enforcement action taken by the state government.

 

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It's Unfortunate That Nollywood Movies Are Not Reflecting Daughter And Mother Relationships - Omotola Jalade

Nollywood veteran Omotola Jalade Ekeinde is one actress that has remained focused on the movie industry in Nigeria. Recently, the actress has been on a media tour of her about-to-be released movie, Mother’s Love. Omotola has been using the opportunity to advocate for mother and daughter relationship, which she says is not being adequately reflected in Nollywood. 

In an interview with Yanga FM, Omotola gave insights into the film, which explores the complex bonds between mothers and daughters.

Reflecting on the scarcity of stories like hers, Omotola said, “We don’t have too many films that explore or showcase the relationship between mothers and daughters.” She described the subject as one “very dear to my heart,” emphasizing the importance of bringing these stories to the big screen.

The actress also addressed the challenges of promoting films in Nigeria, particularly the expectation for actors to dance on social media.

“Do whatever you can do—it’s exhausting, it’s not natural. For me, the film industry is not supposed to be like that. We are encouraging nonsense if we are doing that. It doesn’t mean that whoever is doing it is wrong. Anybody should be able to do what they can do. It’s your film, you invested money in it, and you know where it’s painful for you,” she explained.

On a personal note, Omotola reflected on motherhood, admitting, “With my first daughter, I’m not going to lie—I didn’t do a good job, because that was the way I understood things. I only understood discipline; I was a disciplinarian, period.”

In another development, Omotola disclosed how her children faced death threats during the EndSARS.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Rubbin’ Minds on Sunday, the 48-year-old actress said the threats marked a turning point in her long time of advocacy journey, forcing her to rethink how she engages in activism.

“I am used to death threats; I have received them many times,” Omotola said.

“But I have never seen anything like what happened during EndSARS. It was intense, my kids started getting death threats. That was when it became real, and when I realised this was no longer just about me.

“When people started coming to my home and workplace looking for me, I knew it was time to think beyond myself. I had to protect others, especially my children,” she said.

Omotola revealed that the experience ultimately pushed her to shift away from street protests toward more strategic, focused advocacy, citing the increasing difficulty of guaranteeing her children’s safety as they grow older.

“I can’t control where they go. I can’t protect them as much. I don’t care for my life, but I do care for them,” she said.

 

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Why I Fought My Wife In London - Tu Face

    Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba, has revealed that the fight between him and his wife, Natasha Osawaru, in October 2025 in London was because he was unable to control his temper. The award-winning artiste further stressed that emotional strain can cloud judgment, saying he now understands the importance of responding more carefully in tense situations.

“There are so many things I wish I could rewind and do better. As a human being, there are times when you are overwhelmed or don’t make the best decisions. My thick-skin is weaker now,” he said.

The singer opened up about personal and professional decisions he now regrets, revealing that difficult experiences have shaped his outlook on life and career.

The music icon made the disclosure during an appearance on the Mic On podcast, where he spoke candidly about lessons learned from emotionally charged moments and stressful situations.

The father of six admitted that there were several circumstances he wished he had handled differently, noting that pressure and intense emotions had influenced some of his past choices.

During the podcast, 2Baba also revisited a controversial incident in London involving a disagreement with his wife, Natasha Osawaru, in October 2025. He took responsibility for the episode, acknowledging that his actions were driven by anger.

“I was angry that day. It was an unfortunate incident,” the singer said. “I let my emotions get the best of me. I want young boys and girls to learn from this. When you reacts in anger, you end up regretting what you do.”

He explained that balancing personal struggles with life in the public eye has often been challenging, adding that some experiences have forced him to rethink how he manages conflict and stress.

 

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If You Date Me Again, We Will Never Break Up - Peller Begs Jarvis

Popular Nigerian content creator and TikTok personality, Hebeeb Hamzat, better known as Peller, has generated widespread social media attention after making an emotional appeal to his ex-girlfriend, Jarvis, during a recent livestream in which he invited her as a guest.

In the viral clip, Peller openly begged Jarvis to give their relationship another chance, assuring her that things would be different this time.

He said, “If you date me back, we’ll never break up again, we’ll be together forever, and we won’t do an online relationship again.

“We’ll travel, and nobody will know. I’m more mature now. I now eat and give leftovers to the kids to eat.

“When my dad eats, he would give us the leftovers to eat, that’s what they call maturity,” he added.

However, Jarvis appeared unmoved by his emotional appeal, responding sharply to his statements. She said, “Show workings, no be chochocho,” a phrase indicating that she wants to see real actions rather than empty promises.

The livestream has since gone viral, sparking reactions across TikTok and other social media platforms.

 

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Shock And Disbelief As Music Artiste, Three Crew Members Found Dead In Ajah Studio

There is confusion in the Ajah area of Lagos state as a popular music artiste, Matthew Ogundele, and three of his crew members have been found dead inside a studio.

The crew members were identified as Itunu Ogundele, Joseph Sanya, and blogger Matthew Awosanya, alias JoesTv.

The deceased were said to have been discovered on February 4, around 11 am, in the studio located at HFP Shopping Complex, Abraham Adesanya in Ajah.

It was gathered that the artists had gone to Ajah to perform in a three-day birthday party allegedly organized by the owner of the studio, Olanireti Akinbola.

The deceased, it was learnt, performed on February 3 and decided to sleep in the studio when they finished around midnight.

According to sources, they were given food by the owner’s husband that night, who is said to be the one who noticed something was amiss around 11 am the next day.

Sources alleged that a possible suffocation from a generator placed directly opposite the studio door could be responsible for their death.

They were allegedly found unresponsive with blood coming out of their nostrils, ears, and mouth, but no violent mark seen.

 “The convener invited some gospel artistes to minister during her three-day birthday praise, which started on Monday.

“Segun Praise was scheduled to minister on the second day, and he came with his crew. The session started in the evening and ran late, so they decided to stay overnight in the studio.

“It was the following morning that we heard that their bodies were found in the studio.

“Her husband was the one who raised the alarm after knocking the studio door several times with no response coming from inside.

“A generator was on and placed directly opposite their sleeping locations. So, it is suspected that this probably caused their death, but nothing has been concluded yet,” said a police source.

Contacted, the Lagos Police Spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed the incident, saying it was reported on Wednesday, February 4, at Ajah Division, adding that it was later transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba.

“One suspect identified as the organizer of the event is currently in custody. Investigation is ongoing while we await the autopsy report,” said Adebisi.

 

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How Police Officers In Ikorodu Pointed Their Guns At Us And Threatened To Shoot Before Extorting N100,000 From Us - Auto Dealer

A Lagos-based auto dealer, Quadri Balogun, has alleged that some policemen in the Ikorodu area of the state pointed guns at him and a friend and threatened to shoot them before extorting N100,000.

Balogun recounted the incident in a telephone interview with PUNCH Metro.

According to him, the officers, who were riding in a minibus, intercepted his vehicle in the Itamaga area of Ikorodu while he was driving with a friend.

He said he presented his vehicle documents when stopped, but the officers allegedly refused to inspect them and instead ordered both occupants out of the car.

Balogun claimed that the policemen assaulted them after they stepped out and forced his friend into their minibus, while he was made to remain in his own vehicle.

“They drove us to the back of LASUSTECH. My friends who were expecting me began calling my phone, and when I picked up and explained what was happening, the officers accused me of trying to mobilise people,” he said.

“They later took us to a bushy and isolated area, pointed guns at us and threatened to kill us, saying nothing would happen.”

He further alleged that the officers seized his phone and wristwatch and accused him of taking their photographs.

“They demanded N5 million before they would release us,” he added.

Balogun said after prolonged negotiations, the officers reduced the demand to N100,000, which he and his friend had to source from family members.

According to him, they were taken to a Point of Sale operator and compelled to withdraw the money, which the officers allegedly collected before releasing them.

“They insisted on N100,000 after we told them we didn’t have money. We had to borrow from relatives and withdraw it through a PoS. That was when they let us go,” he said.

The auto dealer described the experience as traumatic.

“Since the incident, I haven’t been myself. I was scared when they pointed guns at us,” he added.

When contacted, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, urged the victims to formally report the matter to the police complaints unit for investigation.

In an SMS sent to the PUNCH Metro, the PPRO wrote, “09111111151 CRU. Contact the Complaints Response Unit on this.”

Incidents of alleged police extortion have remained a recurring complaint among residents of the state.

On January 6, PUNCH Metro reported that a Lagos-based plumber accused officers of extorting N70,000 from him during a stop-and-search operation near the Otedola Bridge area.

Similarly, on January 29, a mechanical engineer alleged that officers attached to the Area J Command in Ajah extorted N250,000 from him under similar circumstances.

Culled from the Punch 

 

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United States Building World's Largest Consulate In Lagos With 537 Million Dollars

The United States is set to open its ambitious $537m consulate project in Eko Atlantic City, Lagos, by 2028, according to a US Mission official.

The 10-storey project, sited on 12.2 acres, is said to be providing an estimated $95m investment in the local economy and employing approximately 2,500 Nigerians, including engineers, architects, artisans, among others.

Construction has already started at the site. Workers in reflective jackets have been spotted seen on different floors of the building, while trucks carrying building materials also moved around the site.

The US investment in the massive edifice continues despite a clampdown on immigrants in the US under President Donald Trump’s administration, a development that has also affected several Nigerians.

Trump, on his inauguration day as the 47th President of the US, signed a series of executive orders aimed at hardening immigration policies, including the stoppage of citizenship by birth for children of illegal immigrants.

When completed, the US Consulate will be the largest in the world, demonstrating the importance of the relationship between the United States and Nigeria.

The construction, which began in 2022, was initially set for completion in 2027.

Workers at the site told newsmen that about four contractors are handling the project, with some focusing on the main building while others handle the road and bridge.

“They are probably on the last floor,” a security officer at the site said on condition of anonymity. “They are doing concrete casting for the fences,” he added, lauding the quality of the work being done.

“The construction workers work every day except Sundays. Some are doing roads, some are doing the bridge. You can see the bridge over there,” a construction worker, who did not give his name because he was not authorised to speak,said.

A private driver, who gave his name simply as John and plies the Eko Atlantic premises, said he did not believe recent US policies to check immigrants would affect America’s investments in Nigeria.

“It will not affect investments,” John said, noting that investors were still welcome in the US. “It’s just the students and others who may be affected. Is there any country that will not allow investments?”

When contacted, a US Mission official said the New Consulate Compound project is on schedule, with occupancy expected in early 2028.

According to the official, the New Consulate Compound under construction represents more than bricks and mortar.

 “It is a tangible expression of the longstanding bilateral partnership that has defined our journey together for over 65 years.”

“The New Consulate Compound will provide a new modern space for us to continue to work together, building on the solid foundation already laid in so many areas, from health cooperation and cultural exchanges to security cooperation and our bilateral commercial and investment partnership.

“The project also represents a significant investment in Nigeria’s economy. An estimated $95m is being spent locally throughout the project, supporting the employment of approximately 2,500 Nigerian professionals, including engineers, architects, artisans, construction workers, and administrative staff.

“In addition to creating jobs, the project is equipping workers with new technical expertise and enhanced safety skills that will strengthen their competitiveness in the local labour market long after construction is complete,” the official said.

 

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Unilag Confers Degrees On 16,506 Students At 56th Convocation

    The University of Lagos has conferred degrees on a total of 16,506 students at its 56th Convocation Ceremonies, as the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, global relevance and sustainable development.

Speaking at the J. F. Ade-Ajayi Auditorium, Akoka, Lagos, Prof. Ogunsola said the convocation marked “a day of reward for hard work” and a celebration of diligence and dedication by undergraduate and postgraduate students across the university’s faculties, the Distance Learning Institute, the School of Postgraduate Studies and the UNILAG Business School.

“I warmly congratulate all our graduating students, their families, friends and loved ones who have supported them throughout their academic journey,” she said.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, the three-day ceremony covered the award of 10,584 first degrees and diplomas, 5,782 postgraduate degrees from the SPGS, and 140 graduates from the ULBS.

She disclosed that 5,775 students graduated with postgraduate diplomas and master’s degrees, while 147 students received PhD degrees from the SPGS and ULBS.

Highlighting individual achievements, Prof. Ogunsola said the overall best graduating student was Chukwuzubelu Benedict Umeozo of the Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Management Sciences, who recorded a perfect CGPA of 5.0.

“The best graduating students in the sciences are David Afolabi Adebayo of the Faculty of Education and Jeremiah Opeyemi Samuel of the Faculty of Pharmacy, both with a CGPA of 4.92,” she added.

On postgraduate achievements, she noted that Haruna Egbunu Abubakar (Civil and Environmental Engineering) emerged as the overall best PhD thesis award winner, while Beatrice Paul Zuhumben (Educational Psychology) won the best PhD thesis in the humanities. Oyeyemi Idowu Adebamowo was named the best PhD (DBA) thesis winner from ULBS.

The Vice-Chancellor also drew attention to inspiring stories among the graduands, including Dr. Hammid Taju, who obtained a PhD in French at the age of 78, and Oba Sulaimon Adekunle Bamgbade (Olofin of Isheri), who earned an MSc in Systems Engineering.

“These are strong examples of lifelong learning,” she said.

Prof. Ogunsola announced that the university would honour two retired academics — Prof. James Dele Olowokudejo of the Department of Botany and Prof. Duro Oni of the Department of Theatre Arts — as Emeritus Professors, while Prof. Akinsanya Olayide Osibogun would be conferred with the title of Distinguished Professor.

She added that honorary doctorate degrees would be awarded to Mr. Jubril Adewale Tinubu, CON, who would receive a Doctor of Business degree, and Chief Kanu Godwin Agabi, CON, SAN, former

Attorney-General of the Federation, who would be conferred with a Doctor of Laws degree.

Reviewing the university’s performance, Prof. Ogunsola said UNILAG retained its joint first position in Nigeria in the 2026 Times Higher Education rankings, alongside the University of Ibadan, and was placed in the 801–1000 band globally out of 2,191 institutions.

“A deep dive into the ranking showed that UNILAG ranked first in research quality and industry income,” she said, adding that the university also emerged as the “Most International African Institution (West Africa) 2025,” as awarded by The International Education.

On infrastructure development, the Vice-Chancellor listed several ongoing and completed projects, including the renovation of the J. F. Ade-Ajayi Auditorium by the Lagos State Government, the development of the Al-Unipod AI and innovation hub under the UNDP Timbuktoo project, the Window on America in collaboration with the U.S. Embassy, and the commissioning of the Kesington Adebukunola Adebutu Research Centre at the College of Medicine.

She said, “We are grateful to our stakeholders, alumni and industry partners who have walked their talk in supporting infrastructure development and student welfare.”

Prof. Ogunsola disclosed that UNILAG currently had about 10,599 bed spaces and is projecting to add 7,836 more by 2027 through TETFund interventions and public-private partnerships.

On digital transformation, she said the university’s “Automate UNILAG” initiative was progressing, with expanded fibre connectivity across campuses, improved Wi-Fi bandwidth and the launch of the ITMO AI Chatbot, described as “the first digital intellectual property and patent registry of its kind in any Nigerian tertiary institution.”

In research and innovation, the Vice-Chancellor revealed that UNILAG attracted grants worth over $17.3 million (about ₦24 billion) in the last year from organisations including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Mastercard Foundation, TETFund and the German Research Foundation.

She added that over 14,000 students and youths were trained through entrepreneurship programmes in 2025, with 61 startups funded and over ₦250 million awarded for prototype development.

On international partnerships, Prof. Ogunsola announced plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Birmingham to commence the process of establishing a branch campus in Lagos, alongside existing joint programmes with the University of Dundee and Soochow University in China.

Addressing environmental sustainability, she said the university’s electric vehicle initiative reduced 120 metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions in 2025, while a 7MW floating solar power project awarded to UNILAG would be “the first of its kind in Nigeria.”

In her charge to graduands, Prof. Ogunsola urged them to remain adaptable and committed to lifelong learning.

“The world is changing rapidly. AI is transforming how we learn, work and live. Survival and dominance will belong to the adaptable mind,” she said, encouraging them to embrace the “UNILAG can-do spirit.”

She concluded by thanking staff, alumni, partners and stakeholders for their continued support of the institution.

 

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Help! Ikorodu Is Now A Red Zone Of Land Grabbing - Firm Cries Out

A firm, Labionar Services Ltd, has sought the intervention of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over alleged threats to lives by gun-toting land grabbers in the Ikorodu area of Lagos State.

Describing land grabbing as a form of terrorism quietly practised without adequate consequences from law enforcement agencies, the judiciary and the state government, the firm called on the IGP to urgently intervene in a dispute over plots of land located in Isiu under Imota division of Ikorodu Local Council.

Speaking on behalf of the firm, Dr Alaba Victoria Sadiq said that on October 30, 2025, five of their surveyors and Fr Onyebuchi Martin, sent by the Catholic Archbishop of Lagos to inspect a portion of land for the Catholic Church, arrived at the site at about 6:30 p.m. and reported that someone approached them with a gun and threatened to wipe them out if they did not leave immediately.

According to her, the station officer of Imota Police Station, who had led officers to protect the workers, later called to say that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), acting on orders from above, had instructed him and his team to leave the site. The officer subsequently reported developments to her.

Sadiq said that shortly after the police left, one of the alleged land grabbers returned with a gun, threatening to harm everyone if they did not vacate the premises.

She said a petition on criminal assault, murder, kidnapping and threat to life was verbally reported to the AIG and formally submitted on November 3, 2025.

She said, “On December 22, the man with the gun and his family members came to Zone 2 to write their statements before the IPO (Henry). A police officer from the AIG’s office then asked us all to come over.”

The court, she said, ordered that N400,000 be paid to Labionar Services Ltd before any fresh suit could be filed.

Sadiq further stated that when the matter was struck out in 2023, Her Lordship Mrs Akinkugbe reiterated that the N400,000 must be paid, but no payment was made.

She warned that Ikorodu has become a red zone for land grabbing, noting that perpetrators now use cutlasses and guns to terrorise victims and sometimes plant fetish substances on disputed land.

She appealed to the presidency, the IGP, the National Judicial Council, state and local governments, human rights organisations and the public to urgently intervene.

When contacted by phone, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone Two Command, Onikan, Lagos, Mr Adegoke Fayoade, said he had no personal knowledge of any petition alleging a threat to life in Ikorodu involving Labionar Services Ltd.

He said he could not immediately recall the petition, adding that his office receives numerous complaints daily.

 

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