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Makinde faults Umahi over coastal highway cost analysis

Published

6 months ago

October 11, 2025

Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde

Makinde faults Umahi over coastal highway cost analysis

Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has criticised the Minister of Works, David Umahi, for refusing to provide a clear breakdown of the cost of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, describing his response to public inquiries as evasive and unnecessary.

Speaking in a viral video on Friday, Makinde said there was no reason for Umahi to be “dancing around the cost” of the multibillion-naira highway, which has generated controversy since its approval by President Bola Tinubu.

“They asked a minister how much the coastal road is, and then you (Umahi) are dancing around and going to say that no, the next kilometre is different from the next kilometre. Then what is the average cost?” Makinde asked.

The governor’s remarks came after a heated exchange on Tuesday between Umahi and Arise News anchor, Rufai Oseni. During the live interview, Oseni had requested that the minister break down the cost of the Lagos-Ca

labar Coastal Highway on a per-kilometre basis.

The question appeared to irritate the minister, who responded sharply, saying the inquiry “made no sense” and that the journalist lacked the technical knowledge to understand the figures.

“These are elementary questions. And it makes no sense. A process is ongoing, payment has been made, and you are saying, ‘how has this money been utilised?’ The money is meant for the project, and it will be paid according to the work done,” Umahi had said.

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He added, “When a certificate is generated, and it is approved through a process in the Ministry of Works, it will then be given to the funders, who will, in turn, check if the works were done. How can you be asking for cost per kilometre? The prices are different. The next kilometre is different from the next kilometre.

“Keep quiet and stop saying what you don’t know. I’m a professor in this field. You don’t understand anything. You have no knowledge of what you ask.”

Oseni, refusing to back down, retorted, “Minister, it’s alright. Keep dignifying yourself, and let the world know who you truly are.”

But, reacting to the development, Makinde defended the journalist’s question, saying Nigerians deserve transparency on public expenditure. The governor illustrated his point by citing the cost of road projects executed by his administration in Oyo State

“When we did the Oyo to Iseyin road then, it was about ₦9.99 billion, almost ₦10 billion. About 34 or 35 kilometres, average cost is about ₦238 million per kilometre,” he explained.

“But when we did Iseyin to Ogbomoso, that was 76 kilometres, it was about ₦43 billion, average cost is about ₦500 million per kilometre. And we had two bridges, one over the Ogun River and then one at Ogbomoso end.”

Makinde argued that if state governments could openly provide cost analyses of their projects, there was no reason for a federal minister to avoid doing the same on a major national highway.

The Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, spanning about 700 kilometres across nine states, is one of the largest infrastructure projects under the Tinubu administration. The project, being handled by Hitech Construction Company Limited, includes two spurs linking the corridor to northern Nigeria.

In 2024, Umahi officially handed over the first phase of the 47.47-kilometre dual carriageway to the contractors, stating that the project would be built using concrete pavement and completed within record time.

At the time, the minister warned that the Federal Government would not tolerate cost variations or delays, stressing that contractors must deliver promptly once mobilisation had been done.

Despite these assurances, public concern continues to mount over the project’s actual cost, level of transparency, and potential economic implications.

Makinde faults Umahi over coastal highway cost analysis

Related Topics:Coastal highway cost Makinde Umahi

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Gunmen Kill 4 in Kebbi, Abduct 6 in Sokoto Attacks

Published

1 hour ago

April 7, 2026

Trends Admin

Kebbi State Commissioner of Police, Umar Mohammed‑Hadejia

Gunmen Kill 4 in Kebbi, Abduct 6 in Sokoto Attacks

At least four people have been killed in Kebbi State while six residents were abducted in Sokoto State in separate attacks by armed gunmen, highlighting escalating insecurity in northwest Nigeria.

In Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State, a terrorist group known as Mamudawa carried out coordinated raids on several villages in the Gebbe District on Sunday and Monday. Residents said the attackers crossed from Wawa Forest in Niger State to strike communities including Kalkami, Tungar Bori, and Kawara. Eyewitnesses reported that homes and buildings were set ablaze, with Kawara village reportedly completely burnt down.

A local resident, Yisa Ahmed, said, “Some buildings were set on fire, and people fled to the forests or to Gungu Island for safety.” The Vice Chairman of Shanga LGA, Adamu Hamza Gebbe, confirmed the attacks, noting that Shanga has repeatedly faced assaults from bandits, kidnappers, and cattle rustlers. The District Head of Gebbe, Alhaji Haruna Usman, added that many residents remain displaced.

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The Kebbi State Police Command confirmed the attack, stating that the assailants took advantage of the wetland terrain to launch their operations, resulting in lives lost and widespread property destruction. SP Bashir Usman, spokesperson for the command, emphasized that security forces are investigating and working to prevent further attacks.

Meanwhile, in Gazau village, Isa Local Government Area of Sokoto State, bandits abducted six residents during an early-morning raid on Monday. The attackers initially seized 13 individuals—12 women and one man—but later released seven, taking six hostages to a hideout. The victims were identified as Asabe Zakariya, Inno Ibrahim, Inno Musa, Umma Yusuf, Safina Abdullahi, and Saminu Jijji.

A relative of the victims revealed that the bandits threatened to continue daily attacks unless residents sought amnesty from them. Efforts to reach local authorities and police spokesperson were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.

Security analysts warn that these incidents reflect a persistent security crisis in rural northwest Nigeria, where armed groups frequently target communities for ransom, extortion, and terror. Authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies to prevent further escalation.

Gunmen Kill 4 in Kebbi, Abduct 6 in Sokoto Attacks

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Nigerian Troops Foil Fuel Smuggling, Arrest 16 Suspected Terrorists in Borno

Published

1 hour ago

April 7, 2026

Trends Admin

Nigerian Troops Foil Fuel Smuggling, Arrest 16 Suspected Terrorists in Borno

Troops of Operation HADIN KAI have successfully intercepted a cross-border fuel smuggling attempt and arrested 16 suspected terrorists in ongoing operations across the North-East Theatre of Nigeria, the military has confirmed.

According to the Nigerian Army, soldiers from 3 Battalion (Mechanised), acting on intelligence, intercepted 19 jerrycans of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and two carts along suspected smuggling routes in Gamboru/Ngala Local Government Area, Borno State, near the Nigeria–Cameroon border. The suspects reportedly fled, abandoning the illicit fuel before troops secured the area.

In a separate operation along the Biu–Buratai–Kamuya road, troops apprehended 16 individuals who initially claimed to be members of hybrid forces. Searches of the suspects led to the seizure of ammunition, magazines, improvised explosive device (IED) materials, military kits, and multiple mobile phones, suggesting involvement in terrorist logistics.

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Troops also recovered a motorcycle previously stolen by terrorists during an attack in neighbouring Yobe State, highlighting efforts to deny insurgents freedom of movement.

Additionally, troops engaged insurgents in a brief firefight in Chibok Local Government Area, forcing the attackers to retreat without reported casualties among security forces.

All operations were conducted under Operation Desert Sanity V, which involves sustained patrols, clearance missions, and aggressive offensive actions in Sectors 3 and 4 of the North-East Theatre. These missions aim to disrupt terrorist supply chains, dismantle criminal networks, and maintain pressure on insurgent elements.

Military authorities emphasised that the arrested suspects will be handed over to appropriate agencies for further investigation and prosecution. Commanders also urged local communities to continue providing credible intelligence to enhance operational effectiveness and civilian security.

The military described the recent operations as a significant blow to terrorist logistics, underscoring its commitment to protecting civilians, securing communities, and degrading the capabilities of insurgent groups in the North-East.

Nigerian Troops Foil Fuel Smuggling, Arrest 16 Suspected Terrorists in Borno

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Military Investigates Maiduguri Killing of 14‑Year‑Old Girl, Arrests Five Suspects

Published

2 hours ago

April 7, 2026

Trends Admin

Military Investigates Maiduguri Killing of 14‑Year‑Old Girl, Arrests Five Suspects

The Nigerian military has confirmed the death of a 14‑year-old girl in Maiduguri, Borno State, and has arrested five suspects in connection with the incident. The tragedy reportedly occurred during celebratory gunfire at a wedding in the Costain area of the city.

According to Lt. Col. Sani Uba, spokesperson for the Theatre Command, Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, the girl was struck by a stray bullet fired by vigilantes later identified as members of an escorts team linked to a Local Government Chairman. The incident took place around 2:00 p.m. on April 4, 2026, at the Umaru Musa Yar’Adua Teachers Staff Quarters.

Troops from Operation HADIN KAI, in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF), quickly traced and apprehended five suspects: Muhammad Husaini (28), Abba Jiddu (25), Abba Kolo Mohammed (20), Ali Adam (20), and Nura Mohammed (18). The suspects are now in custody and will be handed over to authorities for further investigation and prosecution.

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The military condemned the act, describing it as “highly unprofessional, unauthorized, and a clear violation of regulations governing firearms.” It reiterated that the CJTF operates strictly as a support group and is prohibited from engaging in indiscriminate shooting in civilian areas.

A comprehensive investigation is underway in collaboration with relevant state authorities, including the Office of the Senior Adviser on Security to the Borno State Government, to determine the full circumstances of the incident and hold those responsible accountable.

While security forces say the overall situation in the area remains calm, troops have been placed on heightened vigilance to maintain order. The military also extended condolences to the victim’s family, reaffirming its commitment to justice, accountability, and civilian protection.

Human rights organisations, including Amnesty International, have called for a thorough and transparent investigation. AI highlighted that the girl was inside her home when struck and warned that the reckless use of firearms by security or affiliated groups raises serious civilian safety concerns.

The incident has reignited calls for stricter firearms regulation and greater oversight of vigilante groups operating in support of security agencies, emphasizing the need to protect innocent civilians from such tragedies.