Officials Detect Toxic Chemicals In Ikeja Industrial Waste

The Lagos State Government has uncovered dangerous levels of toxic chemicals in industrial waste discharged within the Ikeja industrial corridor, with official geochemical investigations detecting nitrate, ammonium, copper and zinc concentrations exceeding World Health Organisation safety limits.

The findings, contained in the 2026 ministerial briefing of the Lagos State Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources, presented on Monday, reveal that the state has begun mapping contamination hotspots and using the data to sanction industrial operators linked to the pollution.

According to the report, the ministry carried out extensive soil, sediment and water sampling across Ikeja, one of Lagos’ oldest and largest manufacturing districts, to trace industrial contaminants and assess environmental degradation caused by decades of industrial activity.

The ministry said the investigation produced geospatial distribution maps identifying concentrations of contaminants associated with industrial discharge, chemical processing, metal fabrication and manufacturing operations.

Among the substances detected was nitrate, a contaminant linked to severe health complications, including methemoglobinemia, commonly known as “blue baby syndrome,” which affects infants through contaminated drinking water.

Ammonium, another pollutant identified in the study, was described as highly toxic to aquatic ecosystems and an indicator of untreated sewage or industrial discharge entering water systems.

The report also identified elevated copper levels, which can cause liver damage when present in groundwater consumed by humans, alongside zinc contamination capable of disrupting soil quality and aquatic life.

Although the ministry confirmed that contaminant levels exceeded WHO safety thresholds, the report did not disclose the exact concentration levels, the duration of the contamination or the specific companies responsible.

Officials, however, said the contamination maps are being used as evidence to impose non-compliance charges on operators connected to the polluted discharge.

The ministry did not reveal the names of affected companies, the value of penalties issued or whether any payments have been made.

The investigation forms part of a wider environmental monitoring programme aimed at building what officials described as a state-wide georeferenced environmental protection database capable of tracking pollution sources across Lagos.

Beyond Ikeja, the ministry disclosed that groundwater contamination monitoring has also been intensified around landfill sites in communities including Ogudu, Alapere, Oworonsoki, Ikorodu and Ojo, where dedicated boreholes have been installed to continuously monitor water quality and WHO compliance levels.

The government also said it is expanding geological and environmental mapping operations across the Lagos Continental Shelf District to support future infrastructure planning and environmental mitigation.

In addition, enforcement operations targeting illegal dredging, sand overloading and unauthorised land reclamation activities are being conducted jointly with the Lagos Waste Management Authority along the Ajah-Ibeju Lekki-Epe corridor.

As part of broader regulatory reforms, the ministry said it is developing policies that would require mandatory geological investigations before major construction projects, including roads, pipelines and buildings, can commence in the state.

Despite the scale of the contamination findings, several key details remain undisclosed, including which residential communities may be directly affected by polluted water channels and whether any enforcement action beyond financial penalties has been initiated against offending operators.

The report also does not indicate whether public health assessments have been carried out in areas surrounding the identified contamination zones.

Still, the findings provide one of the clearest official acknowledgements yet of long-term industrial pollution risks within Lagos’ manufacturing belt and signal a shift toward more data-driven environmental enforcement by the state government.

  

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Shawarma Vendor Shot Dead By Alleged Cultists At Sangotedo Area Of Lagos

A shawarma vendor identified simply as Andy has been shot dead by suspected cultists in the Sangotedo area of Lagos State.

It was gathered that the incident occurred on Saturday evening. According to sources, Andy was attending to customers at his shawarma stand when some masked men stormed the spot and opened fire on him at close range.

The attackers were said to have fled immediately after the shooting, leaving the victim in a pool of blood.

A police source familiar with the incident said the assailants allegedly disguised themselves as customers before launching the attack.

“The information we received was that the suspects came to the spot pretending to be customers who wanted to buy shawarma.

“The victim was attending to them when they suddenly brought out guns and shot him in the head before escaping.

“Our officers later moved to the scene and saw the lifeless body in a pool of blood. The body was later evacuated from the scene,” the source said.

The police source added that the incident had yet to be linked to cultism until investigations were concluded.

Meanwhile, an anti-cultism platform, Confra Naija, stated that the incident was cult-related.

The platform also described the deceased as peaceful and hardworking.

“Yesterday, a young man named Andy, popularly known as Aboki De Junior, was shot dead around the ShopRite area of Sangotedo, Lagos State. Armed men reportedly arrived at Aboki De Junior’s shawarma spot and opened fire, killing him.

“After the attack, Eiye cultists claimed responsibility. Aboki De Junior was a peaceful and hardworking shawarma seller from Benue State, known as a calm and friendly businessman who welcomed everybody and had Aye members as friends,” the platform partly wrote.

In a video attached to the post, some residents were seen gathered around the lifeless body while some of them wept over the incident.

A female adult believed to be related to the victim was also seen clutching the lifeless body and crying uncontrollably.

The Lagos state police command was yet to make any statement regarding the incident as at the time of filing this report. 

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Stop Making Fake Emergency Calls, Lagos Government Warns Residents

    The Lagos State Government has warned residents against making fake emergency calls to its Command and Control Centre, saying the trend continues to undermine rapid responses to genuine emergencies across the state.

Officials issued the warning during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing in Ikeja as part of activities marking seven years of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.

Olugbenga Oyerinde, Commissioner for Special Duties, who addressed journalists and stakeholders at the briefing, said abuse of emergency lines had reached an alarming level.

According to him, millions of calls received were fake or completely unnecessary.

Oyerinde disclosed that 24.15 million calls entered the centre between January 2025 and April 2026, with 16.39 million identified as fake, representing 67.9 per cent.

The commissioner described the statistics as deeply disturbing and unacceptable.

He said: “It is disturbing that people call simply to test whether our lines work. Our lines work, but every wasted minute can cost lives.”

He noted that emergency operators often struggle to separate genuine distress from prank calls, adding that delayed responses could worsen fire outbreaks, accidents and medical emergencies.

Oyerinde urged parents, schools and community leaders to educate young people, stressing that emergency communication must be treated as a public safety responsibility.

Also speaking, Femi Kennedy-Giwa, General Manager of the Command and Control Centre, expressed concern over the figures, noting that operators sometimes receive repeated prank calls from single numbers.

According to him, such behaviour affects efficiency and public confidence.

“Such calls prevent genuine callers from receiving immediate attention. We must do better as residents of Lagos,” he said.

He assured residents that public awareness campaigns would continue statewide.

Meanwhile, Oyerinde said fire outbreaks remained the most common emergencies in 2025, adding that responders successfully saved properties worth N118.32 billion.

He added that 1,924 victims were rescued alive from emergencies, while properties worth N19.72 billion were lost.

He said the figures reflected both challenges and improved response capacity, noting that 1,972 genuine emergencies were recorded in 2025.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that 1,685 of these cases involved fire incidents.

Oyerinde said March recorded the highest number of emergencies, with 210 cases, which he linked to dry weather conditions. August recorded the lowest number, a decline he attributed to heavy rainfall.

According to him, Alimosho recorded the highest number of incidents at 180, followed by Eti-Osa with 156 and Ikeja with 139.

He added that road accidents accounted for 394 incidents, while truck and tanker accidents made up 249 cases.

The commissioner said the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency handled 1,156 emergencies and disclosed that 173 bodies were recovered during operations involving collapsed buildings and flood disasters.

Ship fires, pipeline leakages and medical emergencies were also recorded, with ambulance teams responding to 1,382 medical cases.

He said pre-hospital care services continued to expand across Lagos.

On enforcement, Oyerinde said the Lagos State Safety Commission intensified inspections, with over 2,800 sites facing enforcement actions.

NAN also reports that more than 100 businesses were sealed for safety breaches, including restaurants and supermarkets.

He added that construction sites and factories were inspected, while oil facilities, haulage firms and hotels also underwent audits.

According to him, the government procured 62 firefighting vehicles to strengthen emergency response infrastructure.

Oyerinde disclosed that fire stations had been completed in Ebute-Elefun and Ijegun-Egba, while projects in Oworonshoki, Yaba and Ikotun were ongoing.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a safer Lagos, adding that stronger preparedness remains central to public safety efforts.
(NAN)

  

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Power Outage: Lagos To Boost Independent Power Market With 2,000MW

Lagos State Government has said that it is developing an independent electricity market to end persistent blackouts in the state. The state’s Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Biodun Ogunleye, who disclosed this during the 2026 media briefing held in Alausa, Ikeja, said the state had commenced aggressive reform toward strengthening regulation, expanding embedded generation and creating an investor-friendly electricity market to support a stable electricity supply.

Earlier, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said stable power supply remained critical to industrialisation and economic transformation. Ogunleye said Lagos was targeting an additional 2,000 megawatts through partnership with private investors and other market operators, while advancing a market structure designed to eliminate the single buyer model and encourage participation.

According to him, the state had updated its integrated resource plan and was implementing policies aligned with international electricity market standards. He said the state had strengthened licensing frameworks, consumer complaint mechanisms and enforcement procedures through the Lagos State Electricity Regulatory Commission, while also pursuing a 100 per cent metering policy.

Ogunleye, who also hinted that the state would soon announce floating power barges as part of plans to expand electricity capacity within six to 12 months, said the state, in partnership with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), Nigerian Independent System Operator (NISO) and Rural Electrification Agency (REA), was expanding grid infrastructure, mini-grids and solar systems across underserved communities.

He, however, said that several transformers had been installed across the state, while damaged electricity infrastructure in Ilashe and neighbouring communities had been rehabilitated.

The commissioner also disclosed that Gbagada General Hospital was being connected directly to TCN to guarantee between 21 and 22 hours of electricity supply daily. He denied the reports that residents would require permits before installing solar systems. “For the umpteenth time, let me repeat, nobody in this state administration authorised anyone to say that if you want to install solar, you must get a Lagos State permit,” he said.

  

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Desmond Eliot Loses APC Ticket For Surulere 1 Constituency, Vows To Challenge Outcome Of Election

Embattled Surulere 1 constituency representative in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Desmond Elliot, has lost the All Progressives Congress primary election for the Constituency amid controversy and allegations of intimidation during the exercise.

Elliot, who currently represents Surulere Constituency 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly and was seeking a fourth term in office, reportedly lost out after a tense primary contest marked by internal party disagreements and heightened political rivalry.

In the primary election held in the constituency on Wednesday, Elliot lost to Barakat Odunuga-Bakare, the aspirant backed by Femi Gbajabiamila, chief of staff (CoS) to President Bola Tinubu, in the assembly race.

Odunuga-Bakare secured 11,385 votes to defeat Elliot, who polled 270 votes across the wards in the constituency.

According to the breakdown of the results from various wards as declared in a viral video, Odunuga-Bakare polled 1,956 votes, while Elliot secured 10 votes at Owolewa Open Field, off Randle Avenue.

Odunuga-Bakare also recorded a landslide victory in the Iponri/Eric Moore ward, polling 1,805 votes, while Elliot got six votes.

The same pattern played out at Akinhanmi/Cole ward, where she polled 2,191 votes while Elliot secured 82 votes.

At Gbaja Stadium ward, the female aspirant recorded 523 votes, while Elliot failed to secure any vote.

She also floored the former Nollywood actor in Yaba/Ojuelegba ward with 980 votes against Elliot’s three votes.

Elliot only had a slight lead at Shitta/Ogunlana ward, where he polled 270 votes, while Odunuga-Bakare secured 169 votes.

The incumbent lawmaker is seeking his fourth term in the state assembly, having represented the constituency for three terms in the past.

Elliot, however, fell out of favour with Gbajabiamila, his estranged godfather, over the role he played in the 2025 impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the Lagos state house of assembly.

Addressing stakeholders in Surulere recently, Gbajabiamila said he nearly lost his job in the presidency due to Elliot’s “role” in Obasa’s impeachment saga.

Gbajabiamila, who served as speaker of the house of representatives from 2019 to 2023, also said he had asked Elliot to publicly dissociate himself from the impeachment plot — a directive he said the lawmaker never obeyed.

Elliot, however, said he thought the plot to impeach Obasa had the backing of President Tinubu, saying he was taken aback by Gbajabiamila’s comments, whom he referred to as “my daddy” during a recent interview on TVC.

Party stakeholders had allegedly urged Desmond to step down for Barakat Odunuga-Bakare but he declined and proceeded with his ambition.

Tension escalated during the primary election on Wednesday as supporters of the lawmaker alleged widespread intimidation and harassment aimed at preventing them from participating in the voting process.

Members of Elliot’s media team claimed there were deliberate attempts to suppress votes in favour of the incumbent legislator, alleging that incidents at various voting centres were being documented by journalists and party observers.

According to the team, reports and footage of the alleged harassment would be made public, insisting that concerns over the credibility of the exercise had existed even before the commencement of voting.

“We already knew that it was not going to be a free and fair primary, which is why members of Desmond Elliot’s media team invited conventional media organisations to monitor and document the process,” a member of the team said.

As of the time of filing this report, the leadership of the APC in Lagos had yet to officially respond to the allegations surrounding the conduct of the primary election in Surulere.

However, in a video that has now gone viral, Eliot has vowed to challenge the result of the election. 

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How Lagos State Commissioner Akinyemi Ajigbotafe Was Matcheted And Hospitalized As APC Peace Meeting Turned Bloody In Alimosho

A peace meeting put together by the All Progressives Congress, APC, Alimosho Local Government Area over the House of Representatives primaries in Lagos has turned violent after suspected political thugs allegedly attacked and inflicted machete injuries on Lagos State Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Akinyemi Bankole Ajigbotafe.

Ajigbotafe, popularly known in political circles as “AB Ajigbotafe,” who sustained deep injuries was quickly rushed to hospital for treatment.

It was gathered that the commissioner was attacked during a tension soaked APC stakeholders’ meeting convened to resolve the controversial result from the party’s House of Representatives primary election in Lagos West.

Sources disclosed that the crisis was linked to tensions generated during Saturday’s primaries involving supporters of former Mosan-Okunola Local Council Development Area chairman, Olabisi Adebajo, also known as ABISCO, and incumbent lawmaker, Ganiyu Ayuba.

The primary election was said to have turned chaotic after armed thugs allegedly invaded the venue wielding dangerous weapons, causing panic among party members and triggering sporadic gunfire.

Party insiders alleged that Ajigbotafe was associated with one of the rival political factions, a development believed to have heightened hostilities ahead of Monday’s reconciliation meeting.

The peace meeting, however, reportedly degenerated into violence after suspected loyalists of influential political figures allegedly attacked the commissioner with machetes in what witnesses described as an attempted assassination.

“The assassination attempt on the Honourable Commissioner was unsuccessful; however, he sustained serious injuries, his vehicle was damaged, and security personnel were severely wounded,” a party member stated in a message circulated among APC stakeholders.

Sources further disclosed that the commissioner lost a large quantity of blood and underwent multiple blood transfusions as medical personnel worked to stabilise his condition.

The incident has reportedly unsettled the Lagos APC, particularly in Alimosho, regarded as one of the party’s strongest political bases in the state.

The attack also triggered outrage among party members and stakeholders, many of whom condemned the increasing level of violence, intimidation, and political hooliganism within local party structures.

In a statement addressed to APC leaders in Alimosho, a concerned party member and Certified Protection Officer, Debo Awosheye, described the incident as disturbing and damaging to the party’s image.

“These incidents are unacceptable and capable of damaging the unity, reputation, and democratic values of our party,” he said.

“No political ambition or disagreement should ever justify violence, intimidation, harassment, or threats against party members.”

Awosheye warned that failure to urgently address the crisis could worsen internal divisions and negatively affect the party’s reputation ahead of future elections.

Another APC member, who reacted to the incident, described the attack as barbaric and called for immediate intervention by party leaders.

“How can you fight a sitting commissioner publicly and injure him to the point of blood flow? This is not acceptable,” the member said.

Recall that Lagos Today Extra” reported that the Lagos State police command apprehended 10 suspects over the violence that erupted at  the All Progressives Congress primaries election at Egbe in the Alimosho area of the state.

The incident, which occurred on Onilewura Street, Liasu Road, on Saturday, caused panic among party members and residents as hoodlums stormed the venue ,shooting sporadically.

The incident  disrupted the  process, forcing voters and party officials to flee for safety.

Several party members sustained varying degrees of injuries in the incident.

  

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Over-speeding Vehicle Runs Into Tricycles Along Ipaja Road, Critically Injuring Several People

A ghastly motor accident involving a Honda vehicle with registration number KTU 921 JY and two commercial tricycles occurred at about 8:50 a.m. on Monday at the Federal Bus Stop along Ipaja Road in Lagos, leaving several passengers injured.

Eyewitnesses at the scene said the female driver of the Honda car was allegedly speeding when she attempted to dodge a sweeper working with the Lagos Waste Management Authority.

According to witnesses, the vehicle hit the sweeper before veering across the road and colliding with two tricycles on the opposite lane.

It was gathered that about 10 passengers in the tricycles sustained varying degrees of injuries during the crash. While some victims suffered serious injuries, others reportedly sustained minor wounds.

It was further gathered that the injured passengers were initially rushed to a private hospital for emergency treatment before some of them were later transferred to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in Ikeja for further medical attention.

Police officers from Gowon Divisional Headquarters, neighbourhood watch personnel and LASTMA officials were seen at the scene managing traffic and coordinating rescue efforts.

Authorities were yet to officially comment on the incident as of the time of filing this report.

  

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How An Over 65 Years Old Grandma Was Raped To Death By Hoodlums In Badagry

Residents of Oke Egan in the Ilogbo-Eremi area of Badagry, Lagos State, were thrown into shock on Friday after the body of a sexagenarian woman, Victoria Adegoke, was found abandoned in a nearby bush.

According to the Punch, the deceased was allegedly found naked and was suspected of having been raped and strangled before her body was dragged into the bush.

One of the photographs obtained by PUNCH Metro on Sunday showed what appeared to be marks indicating that the victim’s hands had been tied by her assailants.

A community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the incident, said Adegoke, believed to be in her 60s and a grandmother, was found around 6:10am on Friday.

He told Punch correspondent that the deceased had attended a programme at The Joy of Christ Ministry, popularly known as Ayo Jesu Church.

According to the source, Adegoke was allegedly ambushed by some hoodlums while returning home in the early hours of the day.

“The deceased is someone I know. Her daughter stays abroad. She went to church last Tuesday and had been there for some time because they were holding a programme that ended four days ago.

“She later stayed with one of her siblings who lives close to the church. It was while she was returning home around six in the morning that she was reportedly attacked.

“The suspects removed her clothes and underwear. They strangled her and also took her phone. Her ATM card and Bible were found at the scene,” the source said.

Another resident who identified himself only as Adeola described the incident as shocking, questioning why an elderly woman would be subjected to such brutality.

“She should be between 65 and 68 years old. Passersby found her body inside the bush and reported the matter at the police post in Ilogbo-Eremi.

“The police are aware of the incident and should be able to track the assailants through the woman’s stolen phone,” the resident said.

A community member, who also requested anonymity for fear of attack, described the area of the incident as notorious for violent crimes.

“The community is along the boundary between Lagos and Ogun states and is known for criminal activities. This is not the first time such a crime has happened here.

In fact, this would be about the fourth such incident reported in the area.

“The place is prone to violence, so people have to be careful. She was a grandmother, not a young woman. She was found naked, and it was when the police arrived that her body was covered. Her pants had been removed, which suggested she was raped,” the source added.

When contacted on Sunday, the spokesperson for the Lagos State Police Command, CSP Abimbola Adebisi, did not respond to calls or a WhatsApp message sent to his line at the time of this report.

This is not the first time a disturbing incident has been reported in Badagry. In November 2025, the corpse of an unidentified man was discovered in front of a filling station in the Seme area of the town.

The discovery was first reported by CityMood Badagry, a local social media news platform.

The deceased was found lying face-up, wearing what appeared to be a white top with black stripes, with parts of his chest and neck visibly exposed.

Culled from the Punch 

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Police Burst 'One Chance' Gang In Okota, Arrest 6 Suspects

Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested six suspected members of a “One Chance” robbery syndicate allegedly terrorising commuters along Ago Palace Way in the Okota area of Lagos.

The suspects were arrested during a stop-and-search operation conducted by police operatives along Ago Palace Way.

According to the police in a statement signed by its Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi on Sunday, a tricycle with registration number AAA 720 QL carrying about six occupants was intercepted while the occupants were allegedly attempting to rob commuters.

Police said the suspects abandoned the tricycle and fled immediately after spotting officers at the scene.

Items recovered during the operation include: a cutlass allegedly used in carrying out the robberies and a mobile phone.

Subsequent investigations led to the arrest of the six suspects identified as Basiru Rilwan, 23; Afeez Akeem, 25; Ademola Yekeen, 20; Sodipo Oyeyemi, 27; Ayomide Gafar; and Fabayo Michael, 28.

The police further disclosed that the suspects were found in possession of a dummy pistol allegedly used to intimidate victims during operations.

The command said the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The statement added that the Lagos State Police Command, under Commissioner of Police Tijani Fatai, remains committed to proactive policing measures aimed at curbing crime and ensuring the safety of residents.

The command also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support efforts to tackle criminal activities across the state.

  

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APC Primary In Kosofe: Coalition Warns Against Violence And Unrest As Two Rival Contenders Claim Victory

As the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Representatives primary election in Kosofe Federal Constituency at the weekend, continues to generate controversy, with two contenders claiming victory, the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Kosofe Local Council has warned against any attempt to incite violence, mobilise unrest, or create an atmosphere of insecurity within the constituency.

In a statement on Sunday, signed by Comrade Alex Omotehinse, the coalition  said any grievances arising from the conduct or outcome of the primary election should be addressed strictly through established party mechanisms and, where necessary, or through a courts of competent jurisdiction.

He noted that no camp or political actor should resort to self-help, inflammatory rhetoric, or actions capable of disrupting public peace, adding that the integrity of the democratic process must be preserved through lawful, transparent, and peaceful channels.

Omotehinse called on the security agencies to checkmate any act or conduct that can ignite or promote crises in Kosofe Federal Constituency.

He said: “From available information and declarations made at the conclusion of the exercise, Mayor Dele Oshinowo was announced by the designated returning officer as the duly elected candidate and flag bearer of the APC for the 2027 general elections.

“However, the Coalition notes the contradictory position emanating from the camp of the incumbent MHR Mrs. Kafilat Ogbara, which initially laid claim to victory and has subsequently asserted that the election did not hold. This inconsistency is both troubling and capable of generating confusion, tension, and unnecessary political heat within the Kosofe Federal constituency.

“As a human rights-driven body and active stakeholder in Nigeria’s pro-democracy journey having played roles in the struggle against military rule, the Coalition considers it imperative to caution against any actions or narratives that may overheat the polity or threaten the peace and stability of Kosofe and, by extension, Lagos State.”

The Coalition therefore calls on all aspirants, their supporters, and political stakeholders to exercise restraint, demonstrate political maturity, and prioritize the collective interest of Kosofe above individual ambitions.

“We strongly warn against any attempt to incite violence, mobilize unrest, or create an atmosphere of insecurity within the Kosofe Federal constituency. As a Civil Society coalition, we remains steadfast in our advocacy for justice, fairness, and democratic accountability, we will continue to monitor developments and speak out where necessary to ensure that peace, order, and good governance prevail.

  

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