Lagos begins removal of shanties on Blue Line railway corridor - Newstrends
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Lagos begins removal of shanties on Blue Line railway corridor

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Lagos begins removal of shanties on Blue Line railway corridor

The Lagos State Government has commenced the removal of shanties on the setback and rights of way of the Lagos Blue Line railway corridor.

Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources in the state, Tokunbo Wahab, on Sunday, supervised the removal of the shanties from Orile to Iyana Iba and asked those staying in the illegal structures to immediately relocate.

The commissioner said there was a need to ensure a complete restoration of the right of way.

He was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Dr. Gaji Omobolaji and his counterpart in the Office of Drainage Services, Lekan Shodeinde, General Manager of LASPARK, Toun Popoola and Chairman of the Special Intervention Team for the restoration of the Blue Line Right of Way, ACP Bayo Sulaiman at Orile.

He said in addition to the Blue Line Rail right of way, the Lagos Badagry Expressway is an international highway whose setback must be restored and observed.

Wahab also said the enforcement had become imperative followingthe expiration of the one-month notice given by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to all street traders, squatters and occupiers of shanties and abandoned vehicles presently on the stretch of Lagos-Badagry Expressway from Orile up to Iyana-Iba.

The commissioner decried the illegal settlement at Agboju where squatters have built up shanties and have occupied government setbacks.

He said Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency (LASPARK) would move in immediately after the squatters had been removed to commence work on the beautification and landscaping of the whole stretch, stressing that the right of way for the Lagos Badagry Expressway stands between 90 and 120 meters.

Wahab advised some occupiers of sheds and settlements under the bridge before Abule Oshun to relocate immediately as the enforcement.

He urged all commercial vehicle operators on the corridor to maintain their designated parks, saying henceforth any vehicle seen picking up or dropping passengers at undesignated bus stops along the road would be towed away and the owners prosecuted.

He also urged  traders at Afolabi Ege Market, Iyana Iba to relocate within seven days as they are the cause of the man-made traffic bottlenecks along the axis.

Wahab also warned residents against creating illegal dumpsites with particular reference to one noticed at the Eric Moore end of Surulere, saying that the government was determined to find a lasting solution to illegal dumpsites and directed the Lagos State Waste Management Authority to evacuate the black spot within 24 hours.

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Man Arrested After Shouting ‘No Water, No Light’ During Bago’s Suleja Visit

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Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago

Man Arrested After Shouting ‘No Water, No Light’ During Bago’s Suleja Visit

The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a 38-year-old man, Hamisu Abdullahi, for allegedly shouting “no water, no light” during a public event attended by Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago in Suleja.

Police spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident, stating that the suspect was arrested during Governor Bago’s Sallah visit to the Emir of Suleja following Eid-el-Fitr prayers on Friday.

According to him, Abdullahi was taken into custody for allegedly attempting to disrupt government activities during the visit and was subsequently transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Minna for further investigation.

“One Hamisu Abdullahi, 38, of Suleja, was arrested and transferred to the SCID, Minna, on March 20, 2026, for suspected thuggery and attempting to disrupt government activities during the Sallah visit,” Abiodun said.

He added that the suspect was later granted bail while investigations are ongoing.

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The arrest reportedly followed an outburst in which Abdullahi, an electrician and father of four residing in Unguwan Bayi, Suleja, voiced concerns about the lack of basic amenities such as electricity and potable water in the area while the governor was addressing attendees at the Emir’s palace.

The incident has drawn public attention, with some residents and observers expressing differing views on whether the man’s action constituted a legitimate expression of grievance or a disruption of public order.

Abdullahi’s brother, Haruna Abdullahi, confirmed that he was released on bail on Tuesday evening after spending about five days in detention.

There have also been unverified claims suggesting that the arrest may have been ordered by the governor, though no official confirmation has been provided to support this allegation. When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Bologi Ibrahim, said he was not aware of the incident.

The episode has sparked broader conversations around citizens’ right to protest, freedom of expression, and how public grievances are handled during official engagements.

Meanwhile, the International Press Institute Nigeria has called on President Bola Tinubu to caution Governor Bago over alleged actions that could undermine press freedom and civic expression in the state.

In a statement signed by its Deputy President, Fidelis Mbah, and Legal Adviser, Tobi Soniyi, the group expressed concern over reported incidents involving journalists and media practitioners, urging authorities to respect democratic rights and avoid actions that may intimidate the press.

As of the time of filing this report, the Niger State Police Command said investigations into the matter are still ongoing.

Man Arrested After Shouting ‘No Water, No Light’ During Bago’s Suleja Visit

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Troops Intercept 18 Suspected Boko Haram Logistics Suppliers in Borno

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Nigerian military troop

Troops Intercept 18 Suspected Boko Haram Logistics Suppliers in Borno

Troops of the Operation Hadin Kai have apprehended 18 suspected logistics suppliers allegedly heading toward Gubio with plans to proceed to the Gudumbali axis, a known enclave of Boko Haram.

According to a daily operational report made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the suspects were intercepted by troops while travelling along routes suspected to be used for delivering goods to insurgent hideouts in the North-East.

Military authorities said the interception was made following intelligence-led operations aimed at disrupting supply chains that support terrorist activities in remote and hard-to-reach locations.

Preliminary investigations reportedly showed that all 18 suspects confessed to engaging in the supply of goods to terrorist elements. They admitted to routinely purchasing and transporting items to Boko Haram operatives, allegedly as part of a sustained logistics network that supports the group’s operations.

The suspects were said to have justified their involvement by citing unemployment and economic hardship, highlighting what security officials described as a broader socio-economic challenge contributing to the persistence of insurgency-related logistics networks in Maiduguri and surrounding areas.

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The report noted that the development aligns with recent remarks attributed to the Chief of Defence Staff, who had previously drawn attention to the link between economic deprivation and the recruitment or involvement of civilians in supporting insurgent activities.

According to the military, the arrests underscore the critical role of civilian collaborators in sustaining terrorist operations, particularly in areas such as Gubio and Gudumbali, where terrain and limited infrastructure often make monitoring and enforcement more challenging.

Security analysts have long emphasized that beyond direct combat operations, insurgent groups rely heavily on supply chains for food, fuel, medicine, and other essentials, often sourced through intermediaries who blend into civilian populations.

The Nigerian Army stated that the suspects are undergoing further screening and interrogation, after which they will be handed over to relevant authorities for prosecution in line with the law.

Troops under Operation Hadin Kai have intensified intelligence-driven operations across Borno State in recent months, focusing not only on neutralizing active fighters but also on dismantling the logistical and financial networks that sustain insurgency.

The military reiterated its commitment to restoring stability in the North-East and urged communities to remain vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by reporting suspicious movements and activities.

Officials also stressed the importance of a multi-pronged approach to counterinsurgency, combining military pressure with socio-economic interventions such as job creation, youth empowerment, and improved livelihoods to reduce the vulnerability of individuals to recruitment into support networks.

The development comes amid ongoing efforts by Nigerian security forces to curb the operational capabilities of insurgent groups in the North-East, where logistics support remains a key enabler of prolonged conflict.

Troops Intercept 18 Suspected Boko Haram Logistics Suppliers in Borno

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Jos DisCo Explains Drop in Power Supply in Four States

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Jos Electricity Distribution Plc (JED Plc)
Jos Electricity Distribution Plc (JED Plc)

Jos DisCo Explains Drop in Power Supply in Four States

The Jos Electricity Distribution Plc (JED Plc) has attributed the ongoing poor power supply in Plateau, Bauchi, Benue, and Gombe states to a significant reduction in electricity allocation from the national grid.

Speaking to journalists in Jos on Wednesday, the company’s spokesperson, Saratu Aliyu Dauda, said the drop in supply is largely beyond the control of the distribution company, stressing that its operations depend entirely on the volume of electricity received from the grid.

According to her, “the reduction in power supply is a result of decreased allocation from the national grid. As a distribution company, our capacity to supply electricity is dependent on what is made available to us. We appeal to our customers for understanding during this period.”

The development reflects broader electricity supply challenges in Nigeria, where fluctuations in generation and grid instability continue to impact power distribution nationwide.

Industry data indicate that Nigeria’s power generation has been inconsistent in recent months, often dropping below optimal levels due to constraints such as gas supply shortages, maintenance issues at generation plants, and transmission limitations. These factors have collectively reduced the amount of power wheeled through the national grid to distribution companies like JED Plc.

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In addition to reduced allocation, national grid instability and system disturbances have further compounded the situation. Frequent grid fluctuations and occasional system collapses have disrupted supply, making it difficult for distribution companies to maintain steady electricity to end users.

JED Plc also acknowledged that infrastructure limitations within its network—including overloaded feeders, aging transformers, and technical losses—affect efficient distribution, especially when available power is already limited.

The company noted that vandalism and theft of power installations in parts of its franchise area have worsened outages. Damage to critical infrastructure such as transformers and distribution lines often leads to prolonged downtime and delays in restoration.

Furthermore, security challenges in some locations across the North Central and North East regions have made it difficult for technical teams to access certain areas for routine maintenance and emergency repairs, thereby extending outage periods.

Despite these challenges, JED Plc said it is actively engaging with stakeholders in the power sector, including generation and transmission companies, to improve supply stability. It added that efforts are ongoing to upgrade infrastructure, replace faulty equipment, and enhance service delivery across its franchise states.

The company reiterated its commitment to improved electricity distribution in Plateau, Bauchi, Benue, and Gombe, urging customers to remain patient and cooperative during the period of reduced supply.

The situation has raised concerns among residents and businesses, as poor electricity supply continues to negatively impact economic activities, increase reliance on alternative energy sources, and drive up operational costs across the affected states.

Jos DisCo Explains Drop in Power Supply in Four States

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