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48 years after conception, FG inaugurates Sokoto-Badagry superhighway construction
48 years after conception, FG inaugurates Sokoto-Badagry superhighway construction
Forty-eight years after the idea of Sokoto-Badagry superhighway was conceived, the Federal Government has inaugurated the construction of the 1,068km road.
Speaking at the ceremony for the construction works on the Section I, Phase 1A of the project in Ilelah town, Sokoto State, Minister of Works, David Umahi, informed the gathering that the idea of the project was first mooted during the first tenure of former President Shehu Shagari but could not take off.
He said the Bola Tinubu administration broke the 48-year jinx.
He further described the event as a manifestation of one of the legacy projects of the current administration, spanning over 1,068 km with the North having 52 per cent and the South 48 per cent.
The minister revealed that the choice of concrete pavement in its design and construction was informed by the need to ensure longevity, while that of the contractor, Messrs Hitech Construction (Nig) Ltd, is premised on capacity to deliver according to specifications and on schedule.
A statement by the Director, Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed, said the company had done a similar pavement work on the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway in Lagos State and was doing same on the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway.
While appreciating the commitment and support of members of the National Assembly for the President’s infrastructure renaissance, he also thanked the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) for the promise to provide security for the entire stretch of the corridor throughout the construction period.
While welcoming guests on the occasion, the Deputy Governor, Sokoto State and Commissioner for Works, Idris Mohammed Danchadi, said the project was “a dream come true” for the people of the state.
Also speaking, the Director, Highways, Construction and Rehabilitation, Bakare Umar, and the representative of the Director, Highways, Bridges and Design, Musa Seidu, described the 1,068-kilometre Sokoto-Badagry superhighway as a Trade, Transport and Security (TTS) Greenfield.
The corridor traverses Sokoto State through Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun states and terminates in Lagos State.
The project seeks to reduce transportation costs, improve trade, connectivity, efficiency and enhance economies of scale around the corridor.
It is to be separated with median landscaping, solar street lighting and modern digital signage.
It will link various existing inter-border towns and routes, provide quick access, enhance border settlements for trade, security support and enablement.
In separate goodwill messages, the Minister of Budget and National Planning, Abubakar Bagudu, recalled that at a Town Hall Meeting in July, 2024 at Birnin Kebbi, the Works Minister spoke about plans to embark on the project.
Also, a former Governor of Kebbi State and Vice Chairman, Senate Committee on Works, Senator Adamu Aliero, stated that upon completion of the superhighway, travel time between Sokoto and Lagos would be drastically reduced by 48 hours.
He said that the dams for irrigation and electricity generation and rail lines were amongst its integral parts.
Speaking, the Minister of State for Works, Mohammed Goronyo, revealed that the project was a clear testament to the Renewed Hope Agenda of the present administration.
The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, promised to mobilise Sokoto people to assist the ministry in the delivery of the project, which he said is very dear to the people of Northern Nigeria.
Sokoto State Governor, Dr. Ahmad Aliyu, said the road project, when completed, would link the state with the central and western parts of Nigeria and pledged to provide adequate security cover.
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Lagos Police Dismiss School Bandit Attack Threat, Deploy Security to Schools
Lagos Police Dismiss School Bandit Attack Threat, Deploy Security to Schools
LAGOS – The Lagos State Police Command has officially dismissed fears over a circulating threat letter claiming that bandits planned to target and abduct schoolchildren in the state. The Command stated that no verifiable intelligence supports such a threat, while simultaneously ordering heightened security deployment to schools and strategic locations as a precautionary measure. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, June 8, 2026, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Lagos State Command, Superintendent of Police Abimbola Adebisi, confirmed that the Command was aware of the report but urged parents, guardians, school authorities, and residents to remain calm. “There is presently no verified intelligence indicating any imminent threat of such an attack within Lagos State,” Adebisi said. “While every security concern is treated with the utmost seriousness, members of the public are advised to remain calm and avoid panic.” The threat letter, which circulated widely on social media, warned of a planned bandit attack and abduction of pupils, sparking anxiety among parents and school administrators across Lagos. However, the police command moved swiftly to assess the situation and provide reassurance.
The Commissioner of Police for Lagos State, CP Tijani Fatai, has directed an immediate assessment of the situation and ordered the implementation of watertight security measures across the state. According to the Command, police personnel working alongside other security agencies have been deployed to ensure the safety of schools, critical infrastructure, and vulnerable communities. “The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, has directed immediate assessment of the situation and ordered watertight security measures across the affected area and other strategic locations within the State,” the police statement read. Officials confirmed that operatives have been dispatched to protect schools, important infrastructure, and communities as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s security architecture. The Command further stated that security authorities will not tolerate any attempt by criminal elements to instill fear or disrupt public order in Lagos State.
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The Lagos State Police Command issued a stern warning to miscreants, bandits, kidnappers, and other criminals attempting to threaten the peace and safety of residents. “The Command will not tolerate any attempt by miscreants, bandits, kidnappers, or other criminal elements to threaten the peace and safety of residents,” Adebisi said. “Anyone found engaging in acts capable of causing fear or insecurity will be decisively dealt with in accordance with the law.” The Command reassured citizens that Lagos remains secure and that aggressive measures are in place to prevent any breach of public safety. It reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining law and order while ensuring the safety and security of all residents across the state.
The police command urged residents to remain vigilant and provide security services with timely and credible information, emphasizing that effective policing relies on public participation. Members of the public were advised to report any suspicious persons, objects, movements, or activities to the nearest police station or through the following emergency contact numbers: 07061019374, 08065154338, 08063299264, 08039344870, and 09168630929. “It reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining law and order and ensuring the safety and security of all residents across Lagos State,” the Command stated, assuring the public that all hands are on deck to ensure the continued safety, security, and well-being of every resident of Lagos State.
Lagos Police Dismiss School Bandit Attack Threat, Deploy Security to Schools
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NLC, TUC Threaten Nationwide Shutdown Over Escalating Insecurity
NLC, TUC Threaten Nationwide Shutdown Over Escalating Insecurity
Organised labour has threatened a nationwide industrial action over Nigeria’s worsening security crisis, warning that workers may be forced to shut down economic activities if the government fails to curb the growing wave of terrorism, banditry and kidnappings across the country.
The warning was issued by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) during engagements at the 114th International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.
The labour centres said the persistent insecurity facing many parts of the country has become a direct threat to the safety, livelihoods and productivity of Nigerian workers, stressing that no nation can achieve sustainable economic growth while citizens live in fear.
According to the unions, thousands of workers now face daily risks while travelling to work, conducting business or carrying out official duties, as incidents of kidnapping, armed attacks and violent crimes continue to rise in several states.
The labour leaders noted that insecurity is no longer limited to isolated communities but has spread to schools, hospitals, farms, highways and workplaces, disrupting economic activities and deepening hardship for ordinary Nigerians.
They expressed concern over recent abductions involving teachers, schoolchildren and other citizens, arguing that the situation has exposed workers and their families to unprecedented dangers.
The threat of a broader labour action comes amid growing support from organised labour for the ongoing strike by the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in some affected areas over the abduction of teachers and pupils.
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President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, recently backed the teachers’ action, describing it as a necessary response to the country’s worsening security situation.
Ajaero said workers should not be expected to perform their duties under constant threats to their lives, warning that organised labour may be compelled to mobilise nationwide solidarity actions if governments fail to take stronger steps to protect citizens.
He maintained that the safety of workers must remain a priority, particularly in sectors such as education, healthcare and local government services, where employees often operate in vulnerable environments.
The labour unions further argued that the security crisis in Nigeria has become both a humanitarian and economic challenge, discouraging investment, reducing productivity and worsening the cost of doing business.
While calling on federal and state governments to take decisive action against criminal groups, the unions urged authorities to move beyond public assurances and implement practical measures capable of tackling terrorism, banditry and kidnapping.
They also called for intensified efforts to secure the release of victims currently being held by kidnappers and other armed groups across the country.
Meanwhile, the labour centres dismissed reports suggesting that negotiations were progressing on a proposed ₦100,000 minimum wage, describing claims by some state governors as misleading.
According to labour officials, no agreement has been reached on such a figure, insisting that discussions on workers’ welfare and remuneration remain ongoing.
The unions warned that continued failure to address workers’ concerns over security and welfare could trigger stronger actions from organised labour in the coming weeks.
The latest warning highlights growing frustration among labour leaders over the country’s security challenges, which have increasingly dominated national discourse amid recurring attacks on communities, schools and public institutions.
NLC, TUC Threaten Nationwide Shutdown Over Escalating Insecurity
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