metro
50% fare slash: Luxury bus owners increase trips as more travellers throng parks
50% fare slash: Luxury bus owners increase trips as more travellers throng parks
More travellers heading to their country homes for the yuletide and end-of-the-year festivities have thronged luxury bus parks especially in Lagos to enjoy the Federal Government’s 50 percent fare slash offered on inter-state travels.
In response to this, the Association of Luxury Bus Owners of Nigeria (ALBON) has announced an increase in the number of scheduled trips on the Lagos-South East and Lagos-South South routes which will last until the end of the Christmas/New Year season.
This, it stated, was in response to the complaints of insufficient capacity to address the upsurge in the number of passengers on the affected routes.
The 50 percent fare slash on inter-state travels was last week approved by President Bola Tinubu for the Yuletide season.
A press statement by ALBON President, Mr. Nonso Ubajaka, and the Honorary Secretary, Mr. Frank Nneji, obtained on Monday disclosed that the Lagos-South-East and Lagos-South South routes had been witnessing an unprecedented increase in passengers since the commencement of the Presidential palliative.
The statement said there had been a sharp rise in the frequency of luxury bus departures from the popular Terminal 1 inter-state public motor park at Oshodi in Lagos as Lagosians were determined to take advantage of President Tinubu’s 50 percent fare palliative to travel to various destinations for the Yuletide season.
At the well lit Terminal 1 on Saturday, December 28, it was discovered that more people preferred to travel with the night buses as passengers thronged the various luxury bus transport companies’ booths to obtain their tickets at half the current fares.
A huge crowd of passengers was reported at the Oshodi Transport Interchange. They queued to obtain the rebate tickets even as others positioned their luggages for loading ahead of boarding.
The buses offering the special fares bore banners with bold inscriptions informing travellers that the gesture was a “Presidential Palliative” passed through the luxury bus owners umbrella body.
Despite large presence of intending passengers at the terminal, there was no stampede or breakdown of law and order as earlier reported by some online fake news platforms.
Checks at the various booths even on Sunday morning showed that a discounted fare of N23,500, which is half of the current N47,000 was being collected from the intending passengers for trips to eastern destinations like Onitsha, Owerri and Umuahia.
The high demand for the cheaper tickets has led to a situation where intending travellers throng the terminal hours ahead of night departures, while many others spend the night there to be able to pay for the discounted fare and board the early morning buses.
Some of the member-companies of the Association of the Luxury Bus Association of Nigeria (ALBON) seen selling the rebate tickets at the terminal are Evergreen Express, Okeyson Transport, Ifeanyichukwu Transport, Izuchukwu Transport, God Bless Ezenwata and Gobison Transport.
Just before departure on Saturday night, some of the passengers on board an Evergreen luxury bus going to Aba who paid N23,500 each, expressed their gratitude to President Tinubu for the fare palliative.
One of them said, ”This is the best Christmas gift anyone can get. I had given up hope of travelling home this season due to the high fares until I heard that the luxury bus transporters are partnering with the Federal Government to sell tickets at half the prices.”
Similarly, some excited Aba-bound passengers on board an Okeyson luxury bus confirmed that they benefited from the 50 percent discount, and thanked the President for subsidising Christmas season travels through the luxury bus transporters.
While an Izu Chukwu bus was seen departing to Asaba, another one belonging to Ezenwata was seen boarding Aba passengers all of whom were visibly excited that they could benefit from the “Tinubu’s palliative.”
Expressing their gratitude to the Federal Government for relieving them of the burden of high transport fares at a time of economic difficulties in Nigeria, most of them appealed for an extension of the January 5, 2025 end date, even as others hope for a similar gesture during the 2025 Christmas season.
“I am happy that I am travelling with my children with the 50 percent tickets. The President has done well, and pray he does it again next Christmas, so that poor people can travel home to meet their relations,” said a Gobison passenger, who disclosed that he and his family were also beneficiaries in 2023.
The leadership of ALBON last week commended President Tinubu for approving the subsidy on Yuletide trips.
metro
Troops Arrest Dismissed Police Inspector Over Alleged Arms Trafficking in Plateau
Troops Arrest Dismissed Police Inspector Over Alleged Arms Trafficking in Plateau
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace have arrested a dismissed police officer, Inspector Danjuma Yusuf, over alleged involvement in a high-profile arms trafficking network operating across state lines in Plateau State.
The arrest was carried out on Sunday at the Makera axis of Riyom Local Government Area during an intelligence-led operation conducted by troops of Sector 6 in collaboration with the Headquarters of Operation Enduring Peace.
According to a military statement obtained by Politics Nigeria, the breakthrough followed credible intelligence on the movement of illicit arms within Plateau State and neighbouring regions.
“Acting swiftly, troops of Sector 6, in collaboration with Headquarters Operation Enduring Peace, executed a coordinated intelligence-led operation on Sunday, 14 June 2026,” the statement said.
The suspect was reportedly intercepted while travelling in a white Peugeot vehicle from Jos South towards the Makera axis. He was placed under surveillance before being stopped at a military checkpoint.
A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of two locally fabricated pistols, 167 rounds of 9mm ammunition, three cans of pepper spray, and a jack knife.
Other items recovered from the suspect included two mobile phones, two cutlasses, a police staff tag, photographs showing him in police uniform, two ATM cards, a National Identification Number (NIN) card, and ₦73,300 in cash.
Preliminary findings identified the suspect as a former officer of the Nigeria Police Force Base 7, Abuja, who had been officially dismissed from service.
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“Further intelligence indicates that the suspect is a key figure in an interstate arms trafficking syndicate, allegedly supplying weapons to criminal elements involved in terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes,” the statement added.
Military authorities said the suspect is currently in custody and undergoing interrogation aimed at uncovering members of his network, including possible collaborators, financiers, and supply routes.
The operation, according to the Army, represents a significant disruption of illegal arms trafficking activities and demonstrates the effectiveness of ongoing intelligence-driven security operations in the region.
The Nigerian Army reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining coordinated efforts with other security agencies to curb the proliferation of illegal weapons and combat violent crimes across the country.
It also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to support ongoing counter-crime operations and enhance security nationwide.
Further updates are expected as investigations continue.
Troops Arrest Dismissed Police Inspector Over Alleged Arms Trafficking in Plateau
metro
Police Foil Kidnap Attempt, Rescue Nine Victims on Katsina–Kankara Road
Police Foil Kidnap Attempt, Rescue Nine Victims on Katsina–Kankara Road
The Katsina State Police Command says its operatives have foiled a kidnapping attempt and rescued nine passengers during a coordinated operation along the Katsina–Kankara Road in Katsina State.
The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Abubakar Aliyu, said the incident occurred on June 12, 2026, at about 2:30 p.m., when suspected armed bandits blocked the highway at Tashar Kanya village in Kankara Local Government Area.
According to him, the attackers intercepted a red commercial Volkswagen Golf III Saloon with registration number KMC 400 MK, driven by a 40-year-old man identified as Aliyu, popularly known as “Maitakabari.”
The vehicle was reportedly conveying 11 passengers from Dandume to Katsina when the armed men stopped it and abducted all occupants.
Following a distress call, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Kankara mobilised a tactical team, including operatives of the Violent Crime Rescue Unit (VCRU), to the scene.
“The operatives tactically engaged the bandits in a fierce gun duel. Due to the team’s superior firepower and tactical manoeuvres, the hoodlums were forced to flee the scene,” the statement said.
READ ALSO:
- Edo Gov Okpebholo Orders Probe Into Benin Vegetable Market Kidnapping
- Late Gen. Rabe’s Son Denies Claim Father Had Diabetes, Says Mother Still in Captivity
- Abdulsalami Reveals Why Ojukwu Rejected Gowon as Nigeria’s Leader
During a sweep of the area after the encounter, police operatives rescued nine victims unhurt.
The rescued persons were identified as Abubakar Ibrahim (28), Rakkiya Ya’u (30), Shamsiya Ahmad Mahamud (18), Jumai Majarazu (20), Salamatu Adamu (30), Yusuf Halliru (17), Harira Hamisu (25), Umma Kabir (17), and Nusaiba Maharazu (3).
However, two persons — the driver, Aliyu “Maitakabari,” and a passenger, Buhari Kabir — were still unaccounted for at the time of the report. Authorities said a search-and-rescue operation was ongoing to locate them and apprehend the fleeing suspects.
The police spokesperson added that the Commissioner of Police in Katsina State, CP Aliyu Umar Fage, commended the operatives for their swift response and bravery during the operation.
He also reassured residents that the command remains committed to intensifying security operations aimed at clearing criminal elements from highways and rural communities across the state.
Katsina State has continued to experience recurring cases of banditry and highway kidnappings, prompting increased patrols and tactical deployments along major travel routes.
Authorities say further updates will be provided as search operations continue.
Police Foil Kidnap Attempt, Rescue Nine Victims on Katsina–Kankara Road
metro
Edo Gov Okpebholo Orders Probe Into Benin Vegetable Market Kidnapping
Edo Gov Okpebholo Orders Probe Into Benin Vegetable Market Kidnapping
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has condemned the kidnapping incident that occurred on Sunday at the Vegetable Market along Airport Road, Benin City, describing it as unacceptable and a direct attack on innocent residents.
In a statement issued on Monday by his media aide, Patrick Ebojele, the governor directed the Edo State Police Command to immediately launch a swift and coordinated investigation into the incident, with orders to secure the rescue of the victim and apprehend those responsible.
The governor also warned that his administration would not tolerate any act capable of threatening public safety or disrupting peace in the state.
“I strongly condemn this act of kidnapping and I call on the Commissioner of Police to immediately open investigation into the matter,” Okpebholo said.
“As a government, we will not tolerate any act that threatens public safety and security or disturbs the peace of the state.”
He urged residents of Benin City and across Edo State to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements or individuals to security agencies, stressing that timely information remains critical to ongoing operations.
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- Late Gen. Rabe’s Son Denies Claim Father Had Diabetes, Says Mother Still in Captivity
- Abdulsalami Reveals Why Ojukwu Rejected Gowon as Nigeria’s Leader
- How Abacha’s ‘Kitchen Cabinet’ Tried to Oust Me, Pushed for Babangida’s Arrest — Abdulsalami
Okpebholo further assured that the state government would not relent until those behind the attack are tracked down, arrested, and prosecuted.
According to reports, the incident occurred when a woman was abducted while shopping at one of the stores within the busy Vegetable Market. A viral video circulating on social media showed the moment the victim was forcibly taken away, sparking panic among traders and residents.
Security sources say preliminary investigations have begun, with operatives working to track the kidnappers and review intelligence from the scene to aid rescue efforts.
Kidnapping incidents have continued to raise concern in parts of Edo State, prompting renewed calls for stronger security presence around markets, highways, and public spaces in Benin City.
Authorities say further updates will be provided as investigations progress.
Edo Gov Okpebholo Orders Probe Into Benin Vegetable Market Kidnapping
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