Apapa gridlock: Lagos gives truck drivers seven-day ultimatum - Newstrends
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Apapa gridlock: Lagos gives truck drivers seven-day ultimatum

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Lagos State Government has given a seven-day ultimatum to truck drivers parking indiscriminately along Oshodi-Apapa Expressway to remove them or have them impounded.

Chairman of Apapa Traffic Management and Enforcement Committee and Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Transportation, Oluwatoyin Fayinka, handed out the fresh ultimatum on Thursday.

A number of analysts and concerned organisations have accused vested groups and individuals of frustrating several efforts made to address the gridlock for the purpose of extortion.

But Fayinka, who spoke with Vanguard, accused the truck drivers of undermining efforts of the team by parking indiscriminately along the road, particularly on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway, causing gridlock and subjecting motorists to untold hardship.

He said the seven-day ultimatum was sent to the leadership of truck drivers’ unions to comply with the directive or risk being sanctioned.

Fayinka warned that after the expiration of the grace the team would embark on total enforcement, saying “There will be no sacred cow.”

This came as the state government has debunked allegation of racketeering by its officials deployed to address the perennial gridlock at the port access road.

Speaking during an interview on Arise News Channel, the Senior Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Central Business District and Head of Operation, Apapa Traffic Management and Enforcement Team, Mr Sola Giwa, said the port authorities have designated a parking space and a ticket payment portal to reduce the gridlock in Apapa.

The Apapa Traffic Management and Enforcement Committee has also activated the Electronic Call-Up System (ETO) designed to sequence and batch trucks coming into Apapa and Tincan Island ports.

Set up by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to address the perennial traffic gridlock in Apapa area, he maintained that the committee was winning the war against traffic congestion and extortion of truck owners and drivers in the axis with the ETO.

He said there has been great improvement compared to the situation of things nine months ago during the manual call up system, where trucks going to the ports usually caused heavy traffic from Onipanu to Apapa and from Cele bus stop to Tincan Island areas of Lagos respectively.

Giwa explained: “Racketeering in Apapa is a false accusation. For those who said they have been collecting money from them, we want to see the evidence and we take it up. You can make a video of anyone that wants to collect money from you.

“The arrangement is for traffic management on the road and not what happens in the port. The simple truth about racketeering is that stalkers still want to come to port following the due process.

“They book and pay for their ticket and they start coming even when there is no available space for them. What we did was that we created a time-belt for the category of trucks that wanted to come to the port, but they ignored them, so they decided to come to the port anytime.

“Basically, what we had before now was a manual collection. We have one lane going into Apapa, and someone who has 50 trucks will want to bring in all the trucks and that’s how the issue of gridlock started. As I speak now, there is no static traffic in Apapa. The NPA has approved parks where these trucks move into. You can from the comfort of your home book a ticket, state the terminal you are going to, then you are allotted a particular park and from there you will be called to the terminal and that has been what is working in Apapa.”

Giwa also attributed some of the challenges hindering flow of transportation at the ports areas to those known as ‘Movers’ who according to him were fighting hard to frustrate the Electronic Call-Up System because they are not comfortable with the new system, which has stopped their corrupt practices.

 

He said parts of the measures put in place by the enforcement committee to address traffic congestion is creating ‘time-belt’ for different categories of trucks – export containers, empty containers, flat beds, manufacturing, and oil and gas – to move at different times in and out of the ports.

 

Giwa said the major challenges facing the port were bad roads and stalkers who visit the port unscheduled.

 

He added that there have been ongoing meetings with constituted authorities to get the bad road fixed and eradicate stalkers from Apapa.

 

“I must say that for Tincan Island, we have issues. We have met with representatives of the federal government, ministry of works and it’s going to take time to fix the road. Secondly for the stalkers, they should go to the designated truck parks,” he said.

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Kwara Governor Mourns 5 Forest Guards Killed in Nuku Bandit Attack

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Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq
Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq

Kwara Governor Mourns 5 Forest Guards Killed in Nuku Bandit Attack

The Kwara State Government has condemned the killing of five forest guards in a deadly bandit attack in Kwara State, as Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq expressed grief over the tragic incident and unveiled fresh measures to strengthen security.

The हमला occurred in Nuku community, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, where suspected bandits reportedly launched a coordinated midnight raid on a security outpost around 3:00 a.m., killing five forest guards on duty.

In a statement issued through his Special Adviser on Media, Bashir Adigun, the governor described the slain guards as brave patriots who died defending their communities.

“I received the news with a heavy heart. These men paid the ultimate price while confronting armed assailants. Nothing can truly compensate for their sacrifice,” AbdulRazaq said.

According to local sources, the attackers arrived in large numbers, overwhelmed the guards, and set fire to motorcycles and patrol vehicles at the outpost, leaving critical security assets destroyed.

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The latest bandit attack in Kaiama LGA has heightened fear among residents, especially as it comes barely two months after similar deadly raids on Woro and neighbouring Nuku communities.

Security experts say the increasing frequency of such attacks signals a worrying spread of banditry in North Central Nigeria, with forested areas serving as operational bases for armed groups.

Governor AbdulRazaq commended security agencies for their ongoing efforts but urged them to intensify operations to curb the growing threat.

To tackle the situation, he announced the formation of a Kwara State Security Strategy Committee, comprising retired senior military and security officers tasked with strengthening intelligence gathering and coordinating security responses.

The committee is chaired by retired Major General G.A. Wahab, with members including Major General Yemi Abidoye, Major General Abubakar Ndalolo, Rear Admiral Aliyu Lawal, Air Commodore A.S.A. Buhari, Assistant Inspector-General of Police Aderemi Opadokun, and Lieutenant Colonel W.A. Lawal. Shuaib Abdulganiyu will serve as secretary.

The governor said the committee would immediately begin deliberations on practical strategies to address insecurity, particularly in rural and vulnerable communities.

He also assured that the state government would support the families of the deceased guards and work closely with federal security agencies to prevent further attacks.

“Our sincere condolences go to the families and communities of the forest guards. They will forever remain our heroes,” he added.

Authorities have reportedly deployed additional security personnel to the affected area, while investigations are ongoing to track down those responsible for the killings.

The incident underscores growing concerns over insecurity in Kwara State, as residents continue to call for stronger protection and proactive security measures.

Kwara Governor Mourns 5 Forest Guards Killed in Nuku Bandit Attack

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Amnesty International Condemns Killing of 24 in Kebbi Bandit Attack

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Amnesty International Condemns Killing of 24 in Kebbi Bandit Attack

Amnesty International Condemns Killing of 24 in Kebbi Bandit Attack

Amnesty International has condemned the killing of at least 24 people following a brutal bandit attack in Kebbi State, describing the घटना as a serious failure of security and a violation of fundamental human rights.

The attack occurred in Debe community, located in Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State, on the evening of Easter Sunday, when armed bandits reportedly invaded the village and unleashed violence on residents.

According to survivors, the attackers carried out indiscriminate killings, targeting anyone in sight without regard for religion or identity. Victims included Muslims, Christians, and followers of traditional beliefs, highlighting the random and devastating nature of the assault.

Residents said the gunmen moved from house to house, killing and burning properties in what has been described as one of the deadliest recent attacks in the area.

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Beyond the loss of lives, several homes were razed during the হাম, leaving many families homeless. A Catholic church—an outstation of Sacred Heart Parish in Shafa—was completely destroyed, while at least 14 shops belonging to local traders were set ablaze, wiping out goods and livelihoods.

The violence has triggered a humanitarian crisis, with many residents displaced and forced to flee to neighbouring communities. Victims are currently in urgent need of food, shelter, and medical assistance, as local resources remain overstretched.

In its statement, Amnesty International called on Nigerian authorities to launch a prompt, thorough, and impartial investigation into the killings and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.

The organisation also urged the government to improve security in Kebbi State and other vulnerable parts of northwestern Nigeria, where banditry continues to pose a major threat to civilian lives.

Security concerns in the region have persisted despite ongoing military operations, with communities frequently reporting delayed response times and insufficient protection during attacks.

The incident further underscores the growing insecurity crisis in Nigeria’s northwest, where repeated bandit attacks have led to loss of lives, displacement, and destruction of property.

Amnesty International Condemns Killing of 24 in Kebbi Bandit Attack

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Man Admits Stabbing Wife 22 Times in Front of Four Children

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Ndata Bobb died in hospital after emergency services were called to a disturbance in Edinburgh's Restalrig Avenue
Ndata Bobb died in hospital after emergency services were called to a disturbance in Edinburgh's Restalrig Avenue

Man Admits Stabbing Wife 22 Times in Front of Four Children

A 56-year-old man, Momodou Bobb, is facing a mandatory life sentence after admitting to the brutal killing of his wife, Ndata Bobb, in a shocking domestic violence case that took place while their four children were inside the home.

The High Court in Edinburgh heard that the attack occurred at the family’s home in Restalrig, Restalrig, Edinburgh, where the victim suffered at least 22 stab wounds to multiple parts of her body, including the face, neck, chest, back, arms, and abdomen.

Prosecutors told the court that Bobb initially claimed the incident happened during a struggle in which he was holding a knife that “slipped,” but he later admitted murdering his wife during a violent confrontation on 27 and 28 August last year.

The court was told that emergency services were alerted after a 999 call reported a “fight” between the couple. When police arrived, Bobb opened the door wearing only boxer shorts and was covered in blood. Officers also found two blood-stained knives in the kitchen.

Despite rapid medical intervention, including attempts by paramedics to resuscitate the victim at the scene, she was later pronounced dead at hospital. A post-mortem examination confirmed that the cause of death was a deep stab wound to the neck that severed a major vein.

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Witness testimony presented in court described hearing the victim screaming for help, reportedly shouting “leave me alone” before collapsing inside the living room.

The court also heard that Bobb sustained injuries to his hand during the incident and was treated in hospital under police supervision. During treatment, he reportedly told officers that the knife had “slipped” during a fight.

Lady Haldane, presiding over the case, described the victim as a “much-loved mother” and noted the devastating impact her death has had on her family, including her four children—three of whom she shared with the accused and one from a previous relationship.

She further confirmed that under UK law, murder carries a mandatory life sentence, with the court set to determine the minimum term Bobb must serve before being eligible to apply for parole.

The judge noted that the victim, originally from The Gambia, had a large extended family and was deeply loved by those who knew her, adding that the “tragedy of her loss is immense.”

Court proceedings revealed that the couple had moved to the UK in the 1990s and later settled in Scotland, with the victim obtaining tenancy of the Edinburgh property in late 2023.

Sentence has been deferred pending the preparation of background and sentencing reports.

Authorities have described the case as a deeply disturbing example of domestic violence, highlighting ongoing concerns about the need for stronger prevention and intervention measures to protect vulnerable families.

Man Admits Stabbing Wife 22 Times in Front of Four Children

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