Police Officer, Others Die In Accident Along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway

        Four persons, including a police officer, have been confirmed dead following a multiple road crash involving five trucks at Kara Bridge outward Lagos on Thursday morning. 

According to the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Dr. Olufemi Damilola Oke-Osanyintolu, the tragic accident occurred after a mechanical fault and reckless driving led to a chain collision among heavy-duty vehicles.

He said, “Upon arrival of the LASEMA Response Team at 7:09 a.m., it was discovered that five trucks had collided in a multiple crash, including a mini truck loaded with biscuits, a 40-foot containerised truck, a trailer carrying sardines, a heavy-duty long truck, and a tow truck.”

Oke-Osanyintolu confirmed that “four adult male, including a police officer, unfortunately lost their lives. Two died on the scene, while two others were pronounced dead at the hospital.”

He added that one of the tractor heads detached and plunged into the lagoon, trapping the driver and his assistant inside.

Rescue operations were immediately launched, with responders from LASEMA, FRSC, LASTMA, the Nigeria Police, and SEHMU on site to coordinate emergency management and recover bodies.

“Two vehicles have already been cleared from the road and handed over to authorities for safekeeping, while recovery operations continue for the submerged truck,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.

Traffic control and diversions were implemented to prevent secondary accidents, as the crash caused major gridlock along the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway corridor.

The LASEMA boss urged motorists to exercise caution, ensure proper vehicle maintenance, and avoid reckless driving to prevent further tragedies on Lagos roads.

 

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Panic And Trauma At Oworonshoki As Government Demolishes More Houses Despite Court Order

           There was total confusion and apprehension in Oworonshoki community as the Lagos state officials came back to demolish more houses. It was gathered that more than 70 residential buildings were demolished at Ajileru, Ososa Extension, and Toluwalase Streets — barely days after a Lagos High Court order restrained the state government and its agencies from carrying out any further demolition in the area.

In a ruling delivered on October 23, 2025, Justice A.G. Balogun of the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja, in Suit No. ID/9910GCM/2025, granted an interim injunction restraining the Lagos State Government, the Attorney-General, the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, and the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA) — whether by themselves, their servants, agents, privies, contractors, or assigns — from continuing with the demolition of properties allegedly belonging to members of the Itesiwaju Ajumoni Community Development Association (CDA).

The judge’s order specifically prohibited the respondents from creating any third-party interest or encumbrance over the said properties located at Ajileru Street, Ososa Extension, and Toluwalase Extension within the Itesiwaju Ajumoni CDA, Oworonshoki area of Lagos, measuring approximately 30 hectares.

Justice Balogun held that the restraint would subsist pending compliance with the Pre-Action Protocol for Land Matters as provided under the High Court of Lagos State (Expeditious Disposal of Civil Cases) Practice Direction No. 2 of 1999.

The court further directed the applicants, led by Pastor Jonathan Olusegun Ojo, Apostle Jacob Oladele Ola, and others, to serve their Memorandum of Claim and accompanying documents on the respondents within 72 hours of the ruling, and to file an affidavit of service before the next adjourned date.

Justice Balogun emphasized that both parties must comply fully with the pre-action protocol to ensure fair hearing and avoid abuse of court processes. The matter was adjourned to December 9, 2025, for a report of compliance.

However, despite the subsisting injunction, bulldozers allegedly escorted by security operatives rolled into the community, pulling down houses and displacing hundreds of residents, including the elderly, pregnant women, and children.

Eyewitnesses said the demolition team operated under the cover of darkness, pulling down structures that had been spared in earlier phases.

“Our homes were demolished in the middle of the night without warning, despite the court injunction. People slept outside in the cold with their children. This is inhumane,” lamented a distraught landlord, Mr. Adewale.

Another heavily pregnant resident, who identified herself simply as Adenike, described the experience as traumatic.

“They told us the court had stopped the demolition, so we stayed. But around 1 a.m., bulldozers came again. I ran out barefoot with my children. We lost everything,” she said tearfully.

Leaders of the Itesiwaju Ajumoni CDA condemned the demolition as “a violation of the rule of law” and “a betrayal of public trust,” insisting that no compensation or enumeration had been carried out before the renewed demolition.

Legal representatives of the community confirmed that Justice Balogun’s order remains valid and enforceable, warning that the latest demolition constitutes contempt of court.

“The actions of those behind this demolition represent a flagrant disregard for judicial authority. We will be filing a formal petition and contempt proceedings in the coming days,” one of the lawyers said.

The disputed land, estimated at 30 hectares, has long been the subject of a protracted dispute between residents and unidentified developers.

As of yesterday, the once-vibrant community had turned into a wasteland, with displaced families rummaging through the rubble for what remained of their belongings.

The residents have appealed to the Lagos State Government, human rights groups, and the Federal Government to intervene urgently to stop further hardship and uphold the sanctity of the court’s order.

 

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Lagos Police Command Mourns As DPO Of Festac Division Dies

The Lagos State Police Command has mourned the demise of the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Festac Division, Matilda Ngbaronye, who died on Friday after 15 years of service.

The spokesperson for the Lagos Police Command, Abimbola Adebisi, in a statement, said Ngbaronye died after undergoing surgery at a medical centre in Surulere area of the state.

 She said, “The Command mourns the loss of a truly upright and dedicated officer who served with unwavering professionalism and integrity.

 “Until her passing, she was known for her diligence, discipline, and commitment to duty. Her friendly disposition and humane approach to policing greatly helped to bridge the gap between the Police and the public she dutifully served. At no time was she found wanting in the discharge of her responsibilities.”

Noting that the news of the DPO’s demise came as a rude shock to the command, Adebisi said the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Jimoh Olohundare, all officers and men of the command commiserated with the deceased’s family and aged mother on the loss.

According to her, Olohundare has reached out to the late DPO’s husband and her elder brother, who is a priest, to extend the command’s condolences and support.

 The police spokesperson added that burial arrangements for the late female cop would be communicated in due course.

Ngbaronye, who joined the Force on April 19, 2010, rose steadily through the ranks to become one of the distinguished female officers in the Lagos State Police Command.

She served in various capacities, including as the Crime Officer at Dolphin Estate Division, Ikoyi, and General Investigation/Fingerprint Expert at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti.

She also headed the Public Complainants Bureau before her deployment to the African Union Mission in Somalia, where she served as Public Information Officer and earned commendations for her performance.

In December 2020, she was appointed Deputy Police Public Relations Officer for the Lagos State Command by the then Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu.

She was promoted to the rank of Superintendent of Police in February 2021 and, in December 2024, was among 1,348 officers elevated by the Police Service Commission to the rank of Chief Superintendent.

Before her posting to the Festac Division, she had served as the Divisional Police Officer at Iponri.

 

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Residents Of Oworonshoki Get Compensation For Demolition

Lagos State Government has commenced the payment of compensation to affected residents of Oworonshoki in Kosofe Local Government Area, in fulfilment of its earlier promise to those impacted by the ongoing urban renewal and regeneration programme in the area.

The exercise, which began on Thursday, October 23, 2025, was described as a demonstration of the government’s commitment to humane and inclusive urban development.

Speaking at a well-attended ceremony held at the palace of the traditional ruler of Oworonshoki, the General Manager, Lagos State Urban Renewal Agency (LASURA), TPL/ESV Olajide Animashaun, said the payment followed a series of verification, engagement, and enumeration exercises carried out in collaboration with community stakeholders.

According to Animashaun, the regeneration initiative became necessary due to the proliferation of illegal and dilapidated structures within Oworonshoki, many of which were built on drainage channels and waterways, posing serious environmental and safety risks.

“Oworonshoki is one of the communities earmarked under the state’s comprehensive urban renewal and regeneration plan. Many of the affected structures were unsafe for habitation and constituted environmental hazards. However, in line with the inclusive governance policy of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration, the state made a commitment to compensate verified affected residents and today, that promise is being fulfilled,” Animashaun stated.

He expressed appreciation to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Lagosians, noting that the payment exercise reflected the government’s sincerity and accountability in implementing its urban renewal policies.

Animashaun also commended the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development and the Permanent Secretary, Office of Urban Development, Arc. Gbolahan Oki, for their dedication and tireless efforts toward the realisation of the initiative.

The event was attended by representatives of the Oworonshoki traditional council, Community Development Associations (CDAs), Community Development Council (CDC) members, civil society organisations, security agencies, and the media.

It will be recalled that the Lagos State Government had, in recent months, cleared several illegal and substandard structures across Oworonshoki as part of efforts to reclaim right-of-way for drainage systems, improve environmental conditions, and enhance public safety.

According to LASURA, a total of 79 beneficiaries were verified for compensation, to be paid in two batches, with the first group receiving their cheques on Thursday, while the second batch will be attended to on Friday at the same venue.

Some beneficiaries who spoke to journalists expressed gratitude to the state government for keeping its word.

One of them, Mrs Ajimoh Oyenuga, said: “The government gave us this money as compensation for the houses demolished on Precious Street, Oworonshoki. We are grateful because it shows that the government cares about our well-being.”

Another beneficiary, Mrs. Olaide Fatima, added: “My house was close to the water, and it wasn’t safe. The government promised to compensate us, and today they have done it. I really appreciate this gesture, promise made, promise kept.”

The LASURA boss reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to ensuring that urban renewal projects across Lagos are implemented with fairness and transparency, while prioritising the welfare of residents and communities affected by development projects.

 

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Sonwo-Olu Flags Off Unilag Medical Research Centre

 

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Fire Guts Alaba International Market

Goods worth millions of naira were destroyed as fire gutted a section of the popular Alaba International Market, in Ojo Local Government Area of Lagos State.

The fire, which broke out about 7:18p.m, razed several lock-up shops located at 155, Olojo Drive, opposite Tantalizers, leaving traders, who resumed in the morning, in tears as they watched years of investment up in ashes.

The fire it was gathered, started from one of the shops, which dealt on furnitures, shortly after electricity was restored, when the market had closed for the day.

Meanwhile, some of the traders, who returned to the market when they were called on phone after they had closed for the day, lamented the incident, saying they approached the fire service at the Ojo council secretariat , but were told their was no water in the fire truck stationed at the council.

But the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service attributed its cause to negligence on the part of some shop owners.

Meanwhile, a Senior Public Affairs Officer for the agency, Maria Fadairo, explained: “Upon receiving the alert, the Ojo and Ijegun-Egba Fire Stations were immediately deployed to the scene.

“The incident involved multiple lock-up shops of varying sizes situated within a two-storey building occupying approximately 648 square meters, within a larger market premises spanning about five hectares.”

“Access to the affected areas proved challenging as most shops were closed for the day, necessitating forced entry to gain access and suppress the fire, a delay that contributed to the spread of the flames which was, however, confined to the floor. The affected shops were primarily involved in the sale of furniture items and alternative power equipment with a law office. Fortunately, no casualties or injuries were recorded.

“Firefighting operations were successfully concluded at 10.10p.m., with the support of personnel from the Federal Fire Service, Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, and the Ojo Police Division.”

 

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Agege To Boost Waste Management In Flood Prone Areas

The Lagos State Government has strengthened collaboration with Agege Local Government to advance environmental sustainability and improve waste management across the state.

Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this in a statement following a meeting with the Acting Chairman of Agege Local Government, Ganiu Obasa.

Wahab said the meeting, which was attended by heads of agencies, permanent secretaries and directors, focused on building synergy between the state and local governments to create a cleaner, flood-free and more sustainable Lagos.

According to him, discussions centred on transitioning from a linear waste system, where refuse is simply picked and dumped, to a circular model that treats waste as a valuable resource.

“We agreed that real progress in achieving a cleaner, flood-free, and sustainable Lagos must begin at the grassroots,” Wahab said.

He emphasised that local governments and Local Council Development Areas play a key role in ensuring that every household, market, and street aligns with the state’s environmental goals.

As part of the action plan reached at the meeting, Wahab said Environmental Health Officers would work directly with the Lagos Waste Management Authority to strengthen enforcement and ensure prompt waste collection.

He added that the Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency would support identified areas in Agege with greenery and beautification, while drainage engineers attached to the local government would provide technical assistance on flooding and channel maintenance.

“This partnership is a reminder that sustainability is a shared responsibility.

“Together, we can build the cleaner, safer, and more resilient Lagos we all deserve,” the commissioner added.

 

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