Security Operatives Recover Ransom Bag from Seriki Fulani’s Residence in Ogun

IJEBU ODE, OGUN STATE – A 67-year-old community leader and Fulani Seriki in Ijebu Ode has been arrested by the Ogun State Police Command after investigators discovered a bag used to deliver ransom money inside his kitchen. The suspect, Abdullahi Muhammadu, who holds the title of Seriki Fulani of Ijebu Ode, has pleaded innocence but admitted under questioning that he knew one of his sons, Bala Muhammadu, was a convicted kidnapper. He told police he thought his son had “turned a new leaf” after serving five years in prison for the same crime. The discovery has exposed what police describe as a family-linked kidnapping syndicate operating across multiple communities in the Ijebu area, including Imodi, Irewon, Iwode, and Okun Owa.

Operatives from the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Ogun State Police Command, led by SP Bamidele Shirtu, had been investigating a surge in abduction cases in the Ijebu Ode axis over the past several months. According to a police source, all evidence pointed to Bala Muhammadu, who had recently been released from a correctional centre after serving a five-year sentence for kidnapping. “After painstaking and intelligence-driven investigation, one of the bags which was used in the payment of the ransom for one of the victims was recovered in the father’s kitchen,” the source said. The bag was found inside the kitchen of Abdullahi Muhammadu, a cattle rearer and father of 30 children from four wives, who has lived in Yorubaland for over 30 years.

Police said Bala and two of his brothers were tipped off by a sibling who spotted security operatives entering the community. The three suspects fled into nearby bush paths before officers could apprehend them. However, their father, the Seriki Fulani, was arrested on the spot. His eldest son, Bello Muhammadu, was also later arrested. “It is not only Bala who is into the business. There is also Ndaji and one other, and we are on their trail,” the police source added. The source further revealed that kidnapping incidents surged in the Ijebu area shortly after Bala was released from prison.

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• Tinubu Launches 145 Tricycle Ambulances, Six Boat Ambulances to Save Mothers, Newborns Across Nigeria

Speaking to journalists after his arrest, Abdullahi Muhammadu denied any personal involvement in kidnapping but made a stunning admission about his son. “I know that Bala was into kidnapping. He was arrested and sent to prison. After he came back, I took him to the hospital, where he spent one month for treatment,” the Seriki Fulani said. “I thought that he had turned a new leaf because he is now into farming and cattle rearing. I didn’t know that he is still into kidnapping. I don’t know if any of my other sons are into kidnapping.” He added: “I didn’t want him to die when he came back from prison. He was looking very sick and pale. I wanted the best for him and other children. I took him to the hospital for treatment. I also encouraged him to stay away from crime.”

Despite the incriminating evidence found in his kitchen, Muhammadu maintained his innocence. “My name is Muhammadu Abdulai. I am a cattle rearer and also a farmer. I have been in Yorubaland for more than thirty years now. I have four wives and thirty children in Yorubaland,” he said. “I was honoured with the title of Seriki of Fulani in Ijebu Ode by the immediate past Awujale of Ijebu Ode. I don’t know anything about the bag that was found in my house. I live in the same compound with my children and wives. I have never kidnapped anybody in my life.”

Bello Muhammadu, the eldest son of the Seriki Fulani, was also arrested. He told police he was not at home during the operation but was called back from his farm by his father. “I am Bello Muhammadu. I am the eldest child of my father. I was not at home when the policemen came. I was in the farm when my father called me. He could not understand what the policemen were saying,” Bello said. “I am not into kidnapping. I am a herder. I only know that my younger brother, Bala, was arrested and taken to prison some years back. I don’t know anything about what he and any of my brothers are doing.” He added: “If my father had known that Bala had returned to the crime, he would have killed him himself. He does not encourage anything like that.”

The Ogun State Police Command confirmed the arrests and ongoing investigation in a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi. Babaseyi praised the support of the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and the strategic leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, in the fight against kidnapping and violent crime in the state. “The successful operation carried out by the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, leading to the neutralisation/arrest of the notorious suspect and recovery of incriminating exhibits, underscores the bravery, professionalism and unwavering dedication of the operatives,” Babaseyi said. “Their resilience and intelligence-driven approach continue to frustrate criminal networks and reinforce public confidence in the Police.” The command assured residents that efforts are being intensified to dismantle all criminal syndicates operating in Ogun State and urged the public to provide timely and credible information to security agencies.

Security Operatives Recover Ransom Bag from Seriki Fulani’s Residence in Ogun

Tinubu Launches 145 Tricycle Ambulances, Six Boat Ambulances to Save Mothers, Newborns Across Nigeria

ABUJA, Nigeria – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday launched the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System (NEMSAS), deploying 145 tricycle ambulances, six boat ambulances, and emergency dispatch equipment to tackle Nigeria’s alarming maternal mortality crisis—where, according to UNICEF, one woman dies every seven minutes from pregnancy or childbirth-related complications. The launch, conducted virtually as part of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare’s third-anniversary projects, signals the administration’s most ambitious attempt yet to bridge the emergency healthcare gap in rural, riverine, and hard-to-reach communities across Nigeria.

Nigeria records an estimated 75,000 maternal deaths annually—one of the highest figures globally. Additionally, about 280,000 newborns die each year, many from preventable causes. The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has consistently attributed these deaths to weak healthcare infrastructure, shortage of trained health workers, poverty, poor emergency response systems, and critically, lack of transportation to access quality maternal care. Speaking during the virtual presidential launch, the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziak Adekunle Salako, described the NEMSAS initiative as a direct response to this crisis. He said the investments reflected “a bold national vision where no Nigerian should lose their life because structured medical help could not reach them in time.”

Tinubu Launches 145 Tricycle Ambulances and Six Boat Ambulances to Save Mother

According to the minister, the NEMSAS assets include 145 tricycle ambulances (commonly known as “keke ambulances”) designed to navigate narrow roads and rough terrain in rural communities, six boat ambulances specifically deployed to riverine and coastal areas where road access is impossible, and emergency communication and dispatch equipment to coordinate rapid response. “This landmark occasion features the official launch of the National Emergency Medical Service and Ambulance System assets including 145 tricycle ambulances, six boat ambulances, emergency communication and dispatch equipment to strengthen pre-hospital care across the nation,” Salako said.

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Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachallom, explained the deployment strategy. “These ambulances are going down to the rural areas, and they will be stationed at the primary healthcare centres where there are trained drivers, while nurses will accompany the ambulances anytime they need to be moved,” she said. She added that emergency contact numbers would be made available at primary healthcare centres to support emergency referrals and rapid response. The six boat ambulances have been deployed specifically to riverine communities, while the vehicle ambulances powered by compressed natural gas will serve federal tertiary facilities. Kachallom expressed optimism that Nigerians would witness better health outcomes before the end of 2027, noting that the health sector had “greatly improved under the Renewed Hope Agenda.”

National Programme Manager of NEMSAS, Demuren Doubra, revealed that the tricycle ambulances were specifically designed to transport pregnant women and newborns during emergencies in hard-to-reach communities. Doubra disclosed that even before the official launch, more than 58,000 women and over 2,000 newborns had already benefited from emergency transport interventions under the programme. He cited a powerful example: a pregnant woman transported over 180 kilometres from Dukku Local Government Area in Gombe State, who later delivered triplets safely. “This is a woman that would have died because of a gap in transportation,” he said. “As NEMSAS, with these facilities and equipment, we are trying to address the delay in reaching care for women and newborns,” Doubra added. He confirmed that the ambulances are being deployed across 15 states under a World Bank-supported IMPACT project, serving local government areas with the highest maternal and child mortality rates.

Beyond the ambulance launch, Minister Salako announced the commissioning of several major health infrastructure projects across the country, including Emergency Operations Centres in Kano, Sokoto, and Katsina states; the Lagos Vaccine Hub; primary healthcare infrastructure in Delta State; the Trauma Centre at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria; the Mental Health Complex at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital; the Infertility and Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre in Bauchi; the Laboratory Complex at the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital; and the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Complex at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja. Salako disclosed that the ministry had lined up more than 100 projects to mark the third anniversary of the Tinubu administration, with selected projects across the six geopolitical zones chosen for presidential commissioning. He said the projects represented strategic investments in emergency preparedness, maternal and child healthcare, trauma care, mental health, and diagnostic services.

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Highlighting the administration’s track record, Salako said the Federal Government had expanded health insurance coverage by over 33 per cent, revitalised more than 4,000 primary healthcare centres, established 15 new federal tertiary health institutions, and provided over 500 specialist health infrastructure projects, including cancer centres and diagnostic facilities, to reduce medical tourism. President Tinubu had earlier announced that his administration injected over N98 billion into Nigeria’s primary healthcare sector via the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) , disbursed to over 8,300 primary healthcare centres nationwide—marking one of the largest single-year investments in grassroots health services.

National Coordinator of the National Malaria Elimination Programme, Nnena Ogbulafor, linked the emergency transport system to ongoing efforts to reduce malaria prevalence in Nigeria. She said the 2025 Malaria Indicator Survey showed malaria prevalence had declined to 15 per cent from 21 per cent recorded in 2021. “Between three years of Mr President’s agenda, especially as regards the health sector, we’ve been able to reduce the burden of malaria significantly,” she said. The Federal Government’s Strategic Adviser on Malaria Elimination, Prof. Olugbenga Mokuolu, confirmed that no state in Nigeria is currently classified under high transmission, with Lagos recording just 2.6 per cent prevalence and Plateau 2.8 per cent. Ogbulafor disclosed that 428 health workers had been trained across the 15 participating states, while awareness campaigns and emergency health communication strategies had also been developed.

World Bank Task Team Leader, Onoride Ezire, described the launch as a major milestone in Nigeria’s pursuit of universal health coverage. Ezire explained that the specially equipped tricycle ambulances are fitted with communication gadgets and emergency medical support systems to monitor patients during transportation. “They are not just vehicles, they are not just ambulances; they are life-saving machines,” he said. He noted that poor terrain and lack of transportation often turn basic emergencies into life-threatening situations in rural communities. According to him, the ambulances would help reduce maternal and newborn mortality by ensuring quicker access to healthcare facilities. Ezire urged states benefiting from the initiative to ensure proper maintenance and sustainable management of the ambulances to guarantee long-term impact.

Director of Community Health Services at the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Nana Abubakar, said the initiative would improve emergency transportation, referral systems, and rapid access to lifesaving care. “It will help reduce preventable deaths, especially amongst mothers, newborn children and other vulnerable groups,” she said. Abubakar stated that emergency response begins within communities, adding that the initiative aligned with the agency’s mandate to strengthen primary healthcare as the foundation for universal health coverage.

Tinubu Launches 145 Tricycle Ambulances, Six Boat Ambulances to Save Mothers, Newborns Across Nigeria

Lagos Tenancy Reform 2026: What Tenants and Landlords Must Know

LAGOS, Nigeria – The Lagos State government has officially unveiled plans to introduce a new tenancy law aimed at curbing arbitrary rent increases, illegal charges, and exploitative practices by estate agents across the state. The proposed legislation, currently before the State House of Assembly, is expected to bring major reforms to the real estate sector, including a cap on agency fees, mandatory registration for agents, and faster dispute resolution. Commissioner for Housing, Moruf Akinderu-Fatai, disclosed the details during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing held in Alausa, Ikeja. He described the bill as a direct response to growing complaints from tenants over excessive rent hikes, fraudulent fees, and unethical conduct by unregistered operators. Once passed, the law will apply to all parts of Lagos State without exception.

One of the most significant provisions of the bill is the regulation of estate agency fees. According to the commissioner, the Lagos State government has consistently maintained that agency fees should not exceed 10% of the total annual rent payable by tenants. However, earlier legislative discussions from August 2025 indicated that the Assembly was considering an even stricter cap of 5%. The final figure remains under debate at the committee stage. Currently, it is common practice for agents in Lagos to charge 10% agency fee plus 10% legal or agreement fee, a model the new bill seeks to eliminate.

Under the proposed law, all estate agents operating in Lagos will be required to register with the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) . Operating without registration will become a criminal offense once the bill is passed. The move targets unregistered agents accused of charging excessive fees, fraudulent sales of properties (such as selling one property to multiple buyers), and withholding tenant rents. Penalties for violations could include fines of up to ₦1 million and two years imprisonment.

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The bill also seeks to curb arbitrary rent increases, which have become a major pain point for tenants in Lagos. While the full details on rent hike limits are still being finalized, early drafts of the bill also proposed banning landlords from demanding more than one year’s rent in advance from new tenants. This would replace the common practice of demanding two or more years upfront.

To address the slow pace of justice in housing matters, the proposed law introduces special court sittings for tenancy-related disputes. Courts will now sit on weekends and public holidays specifically to fast-track landlord-tenant cases. This is designed to prevent prolonged evictions or unfair lockouts. However, the commissioner added one important condition: tenants who wish to take legal action against their landlords must first provide proof of rent payment and updated utility bills before initiating court proceedings.

Even before the bill becomes law, Akinderu-Fatai revealed that LASRERA has intensified enforcement against fraudulent estate agents. Between 2025 and 2026, the agency recovered over ₦270 million from fraudulent operators. This demonstrates the government’s readiness to enforce transparency in the sector. “The Sanwo-Olu administration is determined to restore sanity, transparency, and accountability in the real estate sector while protecting residents from exploitation,” the commissioner said.

It is important to note that the proposed tenancy bill is not yet law. The current stage is the committee stage at the Lagos State House of Assembly. The next steps require the bill to pass committee review, then be passed by the Assembly, and finally receive the governor’s assent. Until then, the Lagos State Tenancy Law of 2011 remains the legally binding framework. Residents, landlords, and agents are advised to follow updates from LASRERA and the Ministry of Housing for official announcements.

Lagos Tenancy Reform 2026: What Tenants and Landlords Must Know