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Deadly Ikola clash: Lagos demolishes shanties beneath high-tension lines

Published

2 months ago

August 30, 2026

Deadly Ikola clash: Lagos demolishes shanties beneath high-tension lines

The Lagos State Government has commenced the controlled demolition of shanties and informal structures built beneath high-tension electricity lines in the Ikola community, Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area, following a violent clash that left four people dead.

The exercise is being coordinated by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) in collaboration with the Lagos State Police Command and the Rapid Response Squad (RRS).

The government said the operation is aimed primarily at removing structures located within the statutory right-of-way of high-voltage transmission lines, describing the settlements as a serious threat to public safety.

The intervention followed a violent incident at Power Line Bus Stop, Ikola, on Thursday, August 27, after a disagreement reportedly escalated into communal unrest.

Four adult men were killed during the violence, while several other people were reportedly injured.

The unrest also resulted in the destruction of several makeshift structures in the area, with a fire breaking out as the situation deteriorated.

LASEMA said emergency responders were alerted to the fire at about 1:52pm and arrived at the scene approximately 25 minutes later.

The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service subsequently worked to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading further, including carrying out damping-down operations after the flames were brought under control.

Emergency medical responders, including personnel from the Agbado Oke-Odo Ambulance Service and Nigerian Red Cross Society, also attended to people affected by the incident.

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Security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, were deployed to the area to restore order and prevent further violence.

Authorities later reported that calm had returned to the community, although security personnel remained deployed to maintain peace.

The precise circumstances that triggered the confrontation remain subject to investigation.

LASEMA said the unrest brought renewed attention to the environmental and security challenges associated with the large number of structures located directly beneath high-voltage electricity infrastructure.

The agency’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said the structures contravened applicable safety standards and exposed residents to potentially serious dangers.

According to the government, people living beneath high-tension power lines face risks including electrocution, fire outbreaks and structural collapse.

The government said the location of the structures also presents challenges for emergency response, particularly when fires or other emergencies occur in densely populated areas.

Following the unrest, LASEMA and other agencies commenced the controlled removal of structures within the designated power-line corridor.

Officials said affected residents were given adequate notice and time to evacuate the structures and retrieve their belongings before demolition commenced.

Heavy recovery equipment was subsequently deployed to clear the structures from the statutory right-of-way.

The government said the demolition was being conducted under security supervision and that personnel involved in the operation remained safe.

Oke-Osanyintolu stressed that the exercise was not directed at any ethnic group or community.

The clarification followed reports linking the recent violence to tensions between members of different ethnic communities living in the area.

The government maintained that the demolition was based on the location and safety risks associated with the structures, rather than the ethnicity, religion or background of the people occupying them.

“This intervention is therefore not targeted at any ethnic group or community, but at a dangerous structural reality that threatens everyone living in its path,” Oke-Osanyintolu said.

The state government acknowledged the importance of shelter and livelihoods but argued that these needs must be balanced against the responsibility to protect lives.

It maintained that no form of development can be considered sustainable where residents are exposed to avoidable and potentially fatal risks.

The Ikola operation has also highlighted the broader challenge of informal settlements in Lagos, where rapid urbanisation, population growth and housing pressures have contributed to the development of structures in locations originally reserved for infrastructure and public services.

Structures beneath electricity transmission lines are particularly sensitive because of the potential consequences of accidents involving high-voltage infrastructure.

The government has therefore maintained that removing buildings from such areas is necessary to protect residents and reduce the likelihood of preventable disasters.

However, the demolition also raises concerns about the effect of enforcement actions on residents who may have limited housing alternatives and whose livelihoods are tied to the affected locations.

The Lagos State Government said it would continue engaging community leaders, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in Ikola as part of efforts to restore confidence and promote peaceful coexistence.

Authorities have also appealed to residents to cooperate with security and emergency officials and avoid actions that could reignite tensions.

The government said its objective is to create a safer and more orderly community while preventing further loss of life.

The Ikola incident has consequently evolved into both a security and public safety issue, with the deadly clash exposing tensions within the community and the demolition highlighting the dangers of informal settlements beneath high-voltage power lines.

As investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the deaths, authorities are expected to maintain security in the area and work with community representatives to address any remaining tensions.

For affected residents, attention is now likely to turn to issues of shelter, livelihoods and the future of the demolished structures.

For the government, however, the removal of the structures remains necessary to eliminate what it considers a significant and preventable threat to human life.

The situation in Ikola remains under monitoring as Lagos authorities combine security operations, emergency response and urban-planning enforcement in an effort to prevent further violence and improve public safety.

Deadly Ikola clash: Lagos demolishes shanties beneath high-tension lines

Related Topics:high-tension lines Ikola clash shanties

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Attempted Suicide: ‘If You Survive, We’ll Jail You’ – Akpabio

Published

8 hours ago

October 14, 2026

Trends Admin

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio

Attempted Suicide: ‘If You Survive, We’ll Jail You’ – Akpabio

Senate President Godswill Akpabio has sparked controversy with his opposition to a bill seeking to decriminalise attempted suicide in Nigeria, insisting that people who survive suicide attempts should face imprisonment.

Akpabio made the remarks on Tuesday during a Senate debate on the proposed Suicide Prevention Bill 2026, which seeks to replace criminal punishment for suicide attempts with medical treatment, rehabilitation and support for survivors.

“As far as we are concerned, we are saying that suicide is a crime for now. Therefore, if you attempt it, you better succeed. If you don’t succeed, we will send you to prison,” Akpabio said.

He reiterated his position, warning that anyone who attempted suicide but survived would be jailed.

His comments came as the Senate passed the bill for second reading, allowing it to proceed to further legislative scrutiny despite his opposition.

Sponsored by Senator Asuquo Ekpenyong, who represents Cross River South, the bill seeks to establish a national framework for suicide prevention, early intervention, treatment and long-term support for people who survive suicide attempts.

Ekpenyong argued that Nigeria’s existing legal framework contains a contradiction because the National Mental Health Act 2021 recognises attempted suicide as a psychiatric emergency requiring intervention, while provisions of the Criminal Code and Penal Code continue to criminalise the act.

He specifically cited Section 327 of the Criminal Code and Section 231 of the Penal Code, which expose people who survive suicide attempts to possible criminal punishment under applicable laws.

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The senator said criminalising attempted suicide could discourage people experiencing severe emotional distress from seeking professional help. It could also make families conceal incidents for fear of prosecution and stigma, while undermining the collection of reliable data needed to strengthen prevention efforts.

Ekpenyong challenged lawmakers to consider whether a person who survives a suicide attempt should face prosecution or receive protection and medical care.

He maintained that decriminalising attempted suicide would not mean encouraging suicide or excusing anyone who assists, persuades or procures another person to take their life. Rather, the proposal would recognise suicide prevention as a public health responsibility requiring coordinated medical, psychological and social support.

The bill proposes a framework for medical assessment, referral services, rehabilitation and follow-up care for survivors. It also provides for crisis helplines, public awareness campaigns and training for police officers, teachers and healthcare workers to help them identify and respond appropriately to people experiencing suicidal distress.

Another proposed measure is the establishment of a national data system to improve understanding of suicide attempts and support evidence-based prevention programmes.

During the debate, Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North, seconded the motion for the bill’s second reading but questioned how the proposed legislation would work in practice to prevent suicide.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele also raised concerns about the legal implications of the proposal, particularly how amendments involving the Criminal Code and Penal Code would apply across Nigeria’s states.

Bamidele urged lawmakers to examine the relationship between federal legislation and state legal frameworks to avoid conflicts during implementation.

Akpabio similarly called for input from state Houses of Assembly during the proposed public hearing, arguing that the legal implications of amending the existing provisions required careful consideration.

Senator Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi Central, welcomed the proposal and said the legislative process would provide an opportunity for medical professionals, legal experts and other stakeholders to contribute to the debate.

The bill’s supporters argue that people who survive suicide attempts should not automatically be treated as criminals without consideration of the circumstances that led to the crisis. They maintain that punishment alone cannot address the underlying psychological, social or medical factors associated with suicidal behaviour.

The Senate’s decision to pass the bill for second reading does not mean that the proposed changes have become law. The legislation has been referred to the relevant Senate committees on health and judiciary for further consideration, including a public hearing.

Until the legislative process is completed and any resulting law takes effect, attempted suicide remains punishable under applicable provisions of Nigeria’s existing criminal laws.

The debate has brought renewed attention to Nigeria’s approach to suicide prevention and the treatment of survivors, with lawmakers now facing further scrutiny of whether criminal penalties or a health-centred response should take priority.

Attempted Suicide: ‘If You Survive, We’ll Jail You’ – Akpabio

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Money Rituals: Four Arrested in Kwara Over Suspected Human Parts

Published

8 hours ago

October 14, 2026

Trends Admin

Kwara Police Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo

Money Rituals: Four Arrested in Kwara Over Suspected Human Parts

The Kwara State Police Command has arrested four suspects in two separate investigations involving suspected human body parts and the alleged removal of human heads from graves, amid concerns about crimes reportedly linked to money-making rituals.

The cases involve the recovery of two suspected human hands along Bakase Road in Alapa, Moro Local Government Area, and the alleged exhumation of graves at a cemetery in Omupo, Kwara State.

The Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, disclosed the arrests during a security briefing in Ilorin on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, as the command announced operations targeting suspected criminal activities across the state.

In the Alapa case, police arrested Kamalden Lukmon and AbdulGaniyu Ibrahim after recovering two suspected human hands on October 8.

According to the police, preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects allegedly intended to use the body parts for money-making rituals.

The suspects reportedly told investigators that a vigilante member identified as Abdulraf Apata had handed the suspected human hands over to them. Police said the allegation was being investigated to establish how the body parts were obtained and whether other individuals were involved.

The command has not publicly established the identity of the possible victim or the circumstances surrounding the origin of the suspected human hands. The allegations against the suspects and the person they reportedly named have yet to be determined by a court.

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In a separate investigation, police arrested Abu Jimoh and Ayo Jimoh over the alleged exhumation of graves and removal of human heads from a cemetery in Omupo.

The case reportedly came to light in May 2026 when residents visited the cemetery to bury a deceased person and discovered that some graves had been disturbed and the heads of bodies buried there were missing.

The discovery prompted a police investigation into the suspected grave exhumation and the whereabouts of the missing remains.

The commissioner said the two suspects were arrested at about 5 a.m. on October 8 while they were allegedly digging graves at the cemetery.

During interrogation, the suspects reportedly named Mukaila Bello, a herbalist, as the alleged buyer of the missing human heads. However, the police account did not establish whether Bello had been arrested or whether the allegation against him had been independently verified.

Investigators were continuing efforts to establish the full circumstances of the incident, locate the missing remains and determine whether other people were involved.

The police have not established a direct connection between the Omupo cemetery case and the separate recovery of suspected human hands in Alapa. The incidents remain distinct investigations.

The arrests were among several security cases discussed during the commissioner’s briefing, at which the command reportedly presented 17 suspects linked to various alleged offences, including kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, child abuse and illegal possession of firearms. The figure covers multiple cases and does not refer solely to the four suspects in the human-parts investigations.

The latest developments have drawn attention to concerns about ritual-related crime and the unlawful handling of human remains in parts of Kwara State. Investigations are expected to establish the facts behind the allegations and determine whether further arrests or prosecutions are warranted.

In a separate incident earlier in 2026, a suspect identified as Hamza Woru was reportedly arrested in Kaiama over the alleged possession of a human skull said to have been exhumed from a deceased relative’s grave. That case is separate from the October investigations in Omupo and Alapa.

The police urged residents to report suspicious activities, particularly around cemeteries and other locations where criminal conduct may be taking place. Community leaders and other stakeholders were also encouraged to provide credible information that could assist investigations and help prevent crime.

The command said it would continue intelligence-led operations to identify suspected offenders, investigate criminal networks and strengthen public safety across the state.

The four suspects remain entitled to the presumption of innocence unless the allegations against them are established in court.

Money Rituals: Four Arrested in Kwara Over Suspected Human Parts

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Osogbo Cultism Crackdown: Six Suspects Arrested as Police Recover Drugs, Charms

Published

9 hours ago

October 14, 2026

Trends Admin

Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan

Osogbo Cultism Crackdown: Six Suspects Arrested as Police Recover Drugs, Charms

The Osun State Police Command has arrested six suspected cultists during intelligence-led raids on criminal hideouts in Osogbo, the state capital, as security operatives intensify efforts to curb cult-related violence and other criminal activities.

The suspects were allegedly associated with the Eiye Confraternity and were linked by investigators to a suspected gang operating around Mackay Junction in Osogbo, where residents have raised concerns about criminal activities and threats to public safety.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, disclosed the arrests in a statement on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, saying the operation followed directives from the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan Zungura, to strengthen security and dismantle criminal hideouts across the state.

According to the command, operatives recovered suspected criminal charms, illicit drugs and cash believed to be proceeds of drug-related activities during the raids.

The six suspects were identified as Ajibade Lateef, 21; Olaniyi Kabiru, 27; Ifaleke Ifedeji, 18; Tajudeen Wasiu, 35; Abideen Babatunde, 35; and Opeyemi Lukman, 18.

The police said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were allegedly connected to the Eiye Confraternity and a suspected criminal network operating in the Mackay Junction area. However, the allegations against them have yet to be established in court.

Reports by Nigerian media outlets indicated that the suspects had been charged to court, although further details about the charges and proceedings were not immediately available.

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The arrests come amid renewed concerns over cult-related violence in Osogbo. In a separate incident, two people were reportedly killed in an attack involving suspected rival cult groups in the state capital.

The reported killings have heightened concerns about the activities of suspected cult groups and the risk of further violence. However, the police have not publicly established a direct link between the six suspects arrested in the latest raids and the separate fatal incident.

The latest operation forms part of the command’s wider efforts to identify and dismantle criminal networks, prevent violent confrontations and improve public safety across Osun State.

The Commissioner of Police urged parents, guardians, community leaders, landlords and residents to support security agencies by reporting suspicious movements and providing credible information that could assist investigations.

He also warned young people against cultism, illicit drug use and criminal associations, stressing the importance of community cooperation in preventing violence and protecting lives and property.

The command said it would sustain intelligence-led operations in identified criminal hideouts and other areas considered security threats. It also encouraged residents to report suspected criminal activities to the nearest police station or through established police emergency channels.

The police maintained that the operations were aimed at strengthening security across the state and ensuring that individuals suspected of criminal activities were brought before the appropriate authorities.