Lagos records 86% drop in crime rate after okada ban - Newstrends
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Lagos records 86% drop in crime rate after okada ban

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Less than three months after the ban on commercial motorcycle (okada) operation in six local governments and nine local council development areas in Lagos State, the state government says crime and accident rates have reduced by 86 per cent and 63.7 per cent respectively.

Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, disclosed this on Tuesday at a stakeholders’ forum with the theme ‘Okada Ban: What Next?’

The commissioner explained that a total of 7,500 motorcycles had been impounded and crushed since the enforcement of the ban began in June 2022.

Oladeinde said, “Lagosians may recall that on the 18th May 2022, Mr Governor made a pronouncement on the total ban of motorcycle operations in six Local Government (LGs) and the respective nine Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) under them including all major bridges and highways of the State and the subsequent inauguration of the Lagos State Anti-Okada Squad saddled with the responsibility to aid the police and taskforce to implement and enforce total compliance with respect to the law.

“The Anti-Okada Squad was deployed in their respective locations and commenced operation effectively from the 1st June, 2022. The Anti-Okada Squad works in partnership with relevant stakeholders (police, media, unions etc) whose contributions thus far cannot be overemphasized.

“Today, we are delighted to report our position on the review of the anti-okada’s enforcement operation in the last two months plus. It is important to mention that the operation has recorded significant successes and compliance.

“In the affected areas within the period under review, available records show that crime and accident rate reduced astronomically by 86% and 63.7% respectively while a total of 7,500 motorcycles were impounded and crushed accordingly.

“It is no longer news that there is a rise in the level of insecurity as a result of the rampage of banditry and kidnapping across all states of the Federation. The Federal Government, therefore, is presently considering the total ban of motorcycle operations across the Federation as most of these underground activities are been enhanced with the use of motorcycles.

“Also, the attention of the State Government has been drawn to the security threat parading the news across all socio-media platforms that some unscrupulous individuals are planning to attack the State, and the Government is already working round the clock to secure the State and its residence from these non-State actors.

“Hence, spotlight has been on Okada operations within the State as a result of their non-compliance to traffic rules and regulations as well as the fact that it is adjudged the only means of transportation that is used to easily and successfully perpetrate all sort of crimes (i.e robbery, kidnapping, supply of arms, attack etc) due to its manoeuvring nature.

“Having taken into account, the successes made thus far as well as the identified challenges of the Anti Okada Squad, the state government has consequently put strategies in place by engaging all relevant stakeholders across all levels of government to put efforts together with the state government in proffering a sustainable solution to the menace of okada operations in our dear state.”

 

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Three Killed, Nine Injured in Gunmen Attack on Akunza Ashige, Nasarawa

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Spokesman, Nasarawa State Police Command, Ramhan Nansel
Spokesman, Nasarawa State Police Command, Ramhan Nansel

Three Killed, Nine Injured in Gunmen Attack on Akunza Ashige, Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State Police Command has confirmed that three people were killed and nine others injured during a gunmen attack on the Akunza Ashige community in Lafia Local Government Area on Tuesday.

Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ramhan Nansel, told journalists on Wednesday that two victims were found dead at the scene, while a third succumbed to injuries at a nearby hospital.

Following a distress call, Commissioner of Police, CP Shetima Jauro Mohammed, deployed Mobile Police personnel and other tactical teams to the area to contain the situation.

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“During the response operation, two corpses were recovered, while nine injured persons were rescued and rushed to nearby hospitals, where they are currently receiving medical attention. One later died in the early hours of today,” Nansel stated.

The commissioner has directed senior officers, including the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) and the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of operations, to conduct a comprehensive investigation to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

“CP Mohammed has assured residents of Akunza Ashige and environs that the Command remains resolute and will not relent in its efforts until all those responsible for this heinous crime are brought to justice,” Nansel said.

The Police also urged community members to remain calm and provide timely and useful information to assist in the investigation.

Three Killed, Nine Injured in Gunmen Attack on Akunza Ashige, Nasarawa

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IPOB Lawyer Ifeanyi Ejiofor Raises Alarm Over Death Threats to Self, Family

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Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor
Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor

IPOB Lawyer Ifeanyi Ejiofor Raises Alarm Over Death Threats to Self, Family

Legal counsel to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Barrister Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has raised alarm over alleged threats to his life and that of his family, describing the situation as a coordinated campaign of intimidation.

Ejiofor disclosed the development in a petition addressed to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), dated December 29, 2025, in which he said he was compelled to make the threats public to alert Nigerians and the international community.

According to the human rights lawyer, he has been receiving threatening phone calls and text messages, adding that the decision to go public became necessary due to the persistent and escalating nature of the threats, which now endanger the safety of his family.

Ejiofor noted that previous public alarms over similar threats had drawn widespread concern from individuals across different segments of society, but the situation has since worsened.

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“Recall that I raised a public alarm concerning manifest and credible threats to my life and the safety of my family. That alarm elicited calls, messages, and expressions of deep concern from well-meaning individuals across all strata of society,” he stated in the petition.

He added that despite those interventions, the threats have not abated.

“Regrettably, rather than abate, these threats have persisted and intensified, compelling me to place this factual and historical account before the world,” Ejiofor said.

The IPOB legal counsel also disclosed that he is currently at his ancestral home in Oraifite, Anambra State, with his family for the Christmas and New Year festivities, a situation he said further heightens concerns over their safety.

Ejiofor called on the Nigeria Police Force to urgently investigate the threats and take necessary measures to protect his life and that of his family.

IPOB Lawyer Ifeanyi Ejiofor Raises Alarm Over Death Threats to Self, Family

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Police, Army Disagree Over IED Materials Recovered From Suspect in Borno

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Police Public Relations Officer in Borno, ASP Kenneth Daso
Police Public Relations Officer in Borno, ASP Kenneth Daso

Police, Army Disagree Over IED Materials Recovered From Suspect in Borno

The Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army have issued conflicting accounts over items allegedly recovered from a suspect arrested in Banki town, Bama Local Government Area of Borno State, raising public concern over the true nature of the incident.

Both security agencies confirmed the arrest of the suspect, identified as Abubakar, and said preliminary investigations were carried out. However, while the Nigerian Army described the suspect as a would-be suicide bomber in possession of Improvised Explosive Device (IED) materials, the Borno State Police Command dismissed the claim and cautioned against misinformation.

In a statement dated December 30, 2025, the spokesman of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Lt-Col. Sani Uba, said troops had apprehended a suspected suicide bomber and intercepted primed IED components.

According to the statement, the arrest followed sustained joint security operations and intelligence-led efforts to secure Banki town by troops of the 152 Task Force Battalion, working alongside other security agencies.

Lt-Col. Uba said the suspect, identified as Abubakar Mustapha, was arrested at about 5:40 p.m. on Monday, December 29, 2025, near the Banki Central Mosque, and was allegedly found in possession of materials indicating an imminent terrorist attack.

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“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect hails from Bama Local Government Area and was further discovered to be in possession of additional incriminating materials linked to terrorist activities,” the statement said, adding that the suspect was undergoing further interrogation to uncover possible terrorist links and sponsors.

However, hours later, the Borno State Police Command released a counter-statement through its spokesman, ASP Nahum Kenneth Daso, titled ‘Borno Police Command clarifies arrest of suspect over alleged IED materials in Banki LGA, cautions against misinformation’.

The police said it had observed the circulation of social media videos alleging the recovery of IED components and sought to clarify the situation.

According to the police, operatives on surveillance duty around a mosque in Banki LGA at about 6:10 p.m. on December 29, 2025, arrested Abubakar with a bag containing electrical wires, old mobile phone batteries, assorted gadget scrap materials, and pairs of shoes.

The Command stressed that preliminary findings showed no evidence of active IED fabrication or priming, contrary to claims circulating online.

The police added that the case had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a comprehensive investigation, while the suspect remains in custody.

The Command warned the public against spreading unverified information capable of causing panic, urging residents to rely on official and credible sources for accurate updates, and reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property in the state.

Police, Army Disagree Over IED Materials Recovered From Suspect in Borno

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