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Groups demand justice after pastor, others attack Iseyin family

Published

2 years ago

June 26, 2024

Groups demand justice after pastor, others attack Iseyin family

A resident of Iseyin, Oyo State, Mr Sulaimon AbdulAzeez, has pleaded for justice following the assault meted on him, his veiled wives and other family members on Eid ul adha day by soldiers hired by his neighbour, who is a pastor.

In a chat with Daily Trust, Mr Sulaimon lamented the impunity which Pastor Busari Stephen, who heads the Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Imuse, Iseyin, enjoys despite the ongoing suffering inflicted on his family.

He added that the pastor who heads the church opposite his house had involved his son, a soldier named Damilola Stephen (aka recruit soldier), who led 17 other soldiers to unleash havoc on them for allegedly slaughtering a ram while facing their church.

Busari’s church was some 20 meters away from Sulaiman’s house even with a road separating them.

Newstrends reported that Busari and Christ Apostolic Church, Oke Imuse, Iseyin were sanctioned by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) after bloody attacks which resulted in the hospitalisation of the man and some members of his household.

Sulaimon said he was severely beaten and wounded while his pregnant wife was also beaten and dragged to the church premises by soldiers hired by Busari. Similarly, his other wife’s head was smashed. He added that his son was taken away by the soldiers while his mother and wife’s brother were also beaten.

The old woman was reportedly manhandled by one of the soldiers while another soldier slit open, with a knife, the palms of Daud Abdulazeez, Sulaimon’s brother.

While Apostle Sunday Ogundairo, CAN chairman in Iseyin Local Government Area, assured that the pastor had been sanctioned by CAN and was asked to relocate his church from the area, Sulaimon bemoaned the improper handling of the reported case.

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He said, “The town authorities have taken over the case; they want to ensure peace. We are still receiving treatment and I want peace too. I do not want the case to escalate yet; I want justice. The pastor came to evacuate his properties from the church two days ago. No church activity occurred here on Sunday but he is going about his business as usual. We reported the case at Iseyin Divisional Police headquarters but he has since been released by the police. My lawyer petitioned the IG, copied the High Court and the civil defence. I have heard nothing from the police. Only the civil defence people called me.

“The police have denied me my rights since the inception of the case with Pastor Busari. Sometime in December, his soldier-son came to assault me in this house. It was at midnight and I made a report to the police but he wasn’t arrested and they were silent on the issue. Either Christian or Muslim, all rights ought to be protected under the law, but the police have not been fair to me.”

According to reports, the crisis resulted from a series of misunderstandings between Sulaimon Abdulazeez and Pastor Busari over the noise that usually comes from the latter’s church during their late-night vigils.

The matter was reportedly looked into by the Aseyin of Iseyin, who ruled that Pastor Busari should abate the noise pollution coming from his church by any means possible. Sulaimon added that the Aseyin suggested the use of sound acoustics to prevent noise pollution but Busari claimed that he could not afford it.

Daily Trust contacted Pastor Busari but he refused to comment on the issue, saying his lawyer had instructed him not to say anything as the case was going to court. He simply said, “Did they say that I was the one who invited the soldiers? Anyways, I have nothing to say; my lawyer has told me to say nothing; the case is in court.”

However, the lawyer to Sulaimon, Barr Abdulwaheed A. Olowonjaye, during a chat with Daily Trust expressed optimism that the police authority would treat the matter promptly and expedite investigation so that justice can be delivered.

“It is left to the police to act fast; we have done all necessary documentation and reporting. On the other hand, we have information that there are moves to charge the pastor with lesser offences, so that he could get away with the crime. I, as the legal counsel to the assaulted family, and the complainants are not aware, and we expect the institution of criminal prosecution against all the parties involved in the attack. We want the police to file this case as early as possible because justice delayed is justice denied. To achieve this, we are following up with the matter and hope that something meaningful will come out of it during the week,” he said.

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Meanwhile, the Oyo State branch of the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has urged the security operatives to arrest the suspects without further delay. The Islamic human rights organisation called for the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the attack and cautioned that the case must not be swept under the carpet.

Ambassador Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade who chairs MURIC, Oyo State, noted that Busari’s son was earlier reported to the police by the community for noise pollution and environmental disturbance.

Similarly, the Amir of Organisation of Tadhamunil Muslimeen (OTM), Oyo State chapter, Ustādh Kamaludeen Udhayfah, described the inhumane action of the Iseyin pastor as callous.

The Amir called on the authorities to carry out a thorough investigation on the matter and if the pastor is found culpable, he should face the wrath of law so as to serve as a deterrent to others.

Also, the Oyo State chapter of Federation of Muslim Women Associations in Nigeria (FOMWAN) denounced the incident which it described as senseless.

FOMWAN in a statement issued and signed by its Amirah, Dr Lateefah Dairo, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, condemned the fact that the perpetrators acted on the instruction of a Christian cleric.

“No individual or group has the right to take the law into their own hands or perpetrate violence against others, regardless of their religious beliefs or affiliations. The actions of these fake soldiers and the cleric who allegedly instigated them are a clear violation of human rights and the principles of peaceful coexistence.

“We call on the authorities to immediately investigate this incident, apprehend the perpetrators, and bring them to justice. We also urge religious leaders to promote tolerance, understanding, and peaceful coexistence among their followers,” the statement read.

A source who craved anonymity claimed that Damilola Stephen with the army registration number 23NA/85/11522 has absconded to Abuja.

In a telephone chat with Daily Trust, Apostle Ogundairo, CAN Chairman, Iseyin Local Government Area, said he has gone round pleading with the Islamic scholars in Iseyinland. He added that it was glaring that the pastor was guilty.

He said, “This evening I was with the Chief Imam of Iseyinland, he embraced and prayed for me. He said that the case would be settled and he would update me on developments.”

The Police Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Police Command, Adewale Osifeso, said that investigation was ongoing.

Groups demand justice after pastor, others attack Iseyin family

Related Topics:Iseyin family justice pastor

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Fourth Mainland Bridge Stalls in 2026 Despite N220.73m Budget Spend

Published

9 hours ago

August 9, 2026

Trends Admin

Fourth Mainland Bridge Stalls in 2026 Despite N220.73m Budget Spend

The Lagos State Government has spent N220.73 million on the long-delayed Fourth Mainland Bridge project in 2026, even though construction of the 38-kilometre infrastructure has yet to commence. The expenditure represents 22.1 per cent of the N1 billion budgeted for the project this year, according to the Lagos State Budget Implementation Report for the second quarter of 2026. The report, under the Office of Infrastructure, shows that while the project recorded zero performance in the second quarter, its year-to-date expenditure stood at N220,730,307.65, leaving a balance of N779.27 million against the original budget. This spending comes despite the project remaining on paper nearly two decades after it was first proposed in 2006.

The Fourth Mainland Bridge has been a recurring promise across multiple administrations in Lagos State. The ambitious infrastructure is designed to connect Abraham Adesanya in Ajah with the northwest axis of Lagos, linking to the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway through Owutu/Isawo in Ikorodu. It is expected to feature three toll plazas, nine interchanges, and a 4.5-kilometre crossing of the Lagos Lagoon. Originally slated for construction in 2017 with a projected completion date of 2019, the bridge has failed to materialise despite repeated assurances from successive governors. The project has been a talking point for every Lagos governor from President Bola Tinubu’s tenure to Babatunde Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode, and now Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

In December 2022, the Lagos State Government announced the Chinese CCECC-CRCCIG Consortium as the preferred bidder for the project. The bidding process began in November 2019, with 52 responses received, of which 32 were deemed responsive. Six bidders met the criteria to progress to the Request for Proposal stage, with the CCECC-CRCCIG Consortium emerging as the preferred bidder. Governor Sanwo-Olu made repeated commitments that construction would commence in early 2023, and later shifted the date to March-April 2024. However, over 15 months after the last announced work commencement date, no flag-off ceremony has taken place, and the preferred bidder has yet to move to site. The project was also scheduled to be completed by 2027, before the end of Sanwo-Olu’s tenure, but that timeline appears increasingly unrealistic.

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The project’s estimated cost has escalated significantly over the years. Originally budgeted at $2.2 billion**, the cost has now been revised to approximately **$2.5 billion. In November 2023, the Lagos State Government secured a **$1.35 billion loan commitment** from the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and Access Bank for the Fourth Mainland Bridge and related infrastructure. However, financing challenges have continued to hamper the project. Governor Sanwo-Olu has attributed the delay to the requirement for a **sovereign guarantee from the Federal Government**. In an interview, he explained: “Everybody that has raised funding to help us develop that project—that’s a $2 billion project—they’re asking for a sovereign guarantee. They are asking for you to get a commitment from the central government. We are not the central government, so we have not been able to push that because that would mean going to the Federal Executive Council (FEC) and the National Assembly.” The governor emphasized that Lagos is being cautious about its debt profile, especially with current currency fluctuations. “Part of the things we’re looking at is how far down can we get a sustainable funding model that can still help Lagos to be able to plan. With the currency movement, we need to be careful with our debt profile,” Sanwo-Olu said.

The project, first proposed in 2006, has undergone several attempts at financing and execution across multiple administrations. In May 2016, former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a consortium comprising the Africa Finance Corporation, Access Bank, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Nigerian Westminster Dredging and Marine, J.P. Morgan, Hi-Tech Construction Limited, Eldorado Nigeria Limited, and Visible Asset Limited for an N844 billion PPP arrangement. However, the arrangement was cancelled in May 2017 after the Lagos State Government cited delays by the consortium in commencing the project. The Sanwo-Olu administration later revived the project under a new PPP arrangement, selecting the CCECC-CRCCIG Consortium as preferred bidder in December 2022.

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Despite the project remaining stalled, it continues to feature in political discourse. President Bola Tinubu, while congratulating Governor Sanwo-Olu on his 60th birthday, urged the governor to prioritise the long-awaited Fourth Mainland Bridge, saying: “I urge you to sustain this trajectory by prioritising impactful projects for Lagosians, notably the long-awaited Fourth Mainland Bridge and the Freedom Way to Victoria Garden City (VGC) Road.” Interestingly, during the 2026 new year thanksgiving service, Governor Sanwo-Olu listed a number of projects that would receive state government attention, including provisions for them in the 2026 budget, but he never mentioned the Fourth Mainland Bridge. Even during subsequent project commissioning ceremonies, the bridge was not a talking point, unlike in previous years, suggesting a shift in the administration’s public focus.

Efforts to get comment from the Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, proved abortive as he did not respond to calls or text messages. Questions were sent asking for details on what the N220.73 million was spent on, considering that construction has not yet commenced. The budget allocation for the project in 2026 is part of the state’s N4.44 trillion “Budget of Sustainable Transformation,” which dedicates approximately N2.64 trillion (60 per cent) to capital expenditure, with a strong emphasis on infrastructure. The Lagos State House of Assembly increased the original budget proposal to fund “mega-projects” like the Fourth Mainland Bridge, with Speaker Mudashiru Obasa emphasizing the need to avoid project abandonment.

The Fourth Mainland Bridge remains one of Nigeria’s most ambitious infrastructure projects. Upon completion, it is expected to emerge as the second longest bridge in Africa. The bridge is intended to serve as an alternative route connecting Lagos Island, Baiyeku (Ikorodu), Langbasa (Lekki), and other areas of the mainland. It will be a four-lane, two-way carriageway with facilities for a BRT lane and future road expansion, expected to ease congestion on the Third Mainland Bridge and other major routes. The project’s future hinges on resolving the sovereign guarantee impasse with the Federal Government. About 800 houses are expected to be demolished when construction eventually commences, adding to the complexity of the project. The government is exploring creative approaches to dimension the project in a more consumable manner, including potential redesigns to reduce the number of lanes or bridge levels. With Governor Sanwo-Olu approaching the end of his tenure, questions remain whether the Fourth Mainland Bridge will finally transition from a dream to reality, or continue to exist only on paper as it has for nearly two decades.

Fourth Mainland Bridge Stalls in 2026 Despite N220.73m Budget Spend

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Vandalised Festac-Alakija Bridge Structurally Sound, Safe for Use — Sanwo-Olu Assures Lagosians

Published

17 hours ago

August 9, 2026

Trends Admin

Vandalised Festac-Alakija Bridge Structurally Sound, Safe for Use — Sanwo-Olu Assures Lagosians

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has allayed fears over the safety of the newly constructed Festac-Alakija Bridge following a recent vandalism attempt, assuring residents and motorists that the structural integrity of the facility remains intact and it is safe for use .

The governor carried out an on-the-spot assessment of the affected bridge pillar at Vin-Niger along the Lagos-Badagry Expressway on Saturday . He was accompanied on the inspection by contractors handling the facility, members of the State Executive Council, and local government chairmen, who joined him in evaluating the extent of the damage to the bridge . The inspection followed viral videos showing the vandalised portion of the bridge, which had sparked widespread concern and condemnation on social media, with calls for the government to take immediate action to prevent further damage and ensure public safety . Addressing concerns raised by the incident, Governor Sanwo-Olu stated emphatically that preliminary assessments had confirmed the bridge remained fit for use. Officials from the Office of Infrastructure had inspected the damaged bridge and confirmed that its structural integrity remained intact despite the vandalism . Sanwo-Olu clarified that while the main structure of the bridge remained intact, vandals had excavated portions of the structure and removed fittings used to secure the facility . He said the bridge leads into Festac Town, while the land and abutment are under the control of the Federal Housing Authority . The governor also added that immediate remedial works would be carried out to protect the bridge’s columns and prevent further deterioration .

The governor condemned the vandalism as “barbaric, criminal and unacceptable”, warning that Lagos State would not tolerate attacks on critical public infrastructure . In a joint midnight enforcement operation, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) task force arrested 27 suspected hoodlums in connection with the vandalism . The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed that investigations revealed the suspects had deliberately vandalised critical structural components of the bridge, removing iron rods, steel reinforcements, cables and other supporting materials essential to the integrity of the infrastructure . The commissioner said the suspects would be prosecuted in accordance with the extant laws of Lagos State .

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The governor vowed that the government would pursue those responsible for the vandalism, including individuals involved in receiving, buying or selling materials stolen from public facilities, regardless of their social status or background . He stressed that attacks on public infrastructure undermine government investments and pose risks to the safety and wellbeing of residents . The governor expressed concern over the persistent vandalism of public infrastructure in Festac Town, citing the destruction of drainage slabs and theft of iron rods along Second and Seventh Avenues .

Governor Sanwo-Olu urged residents to take greater responsibility for protecting public assets by reporting suspicious activities to security agencies and relevant authorities . He commended security personnel involved in securing the area, including the Lagos State Police Command, RRS, Lagos State Task Force, Lagos State Neighbourhood Watch, and KAI, for their prompt intervention .

The governor explained that the inspection formed part of his administration’s broader efforts to clean up the Lagos-Badagry Expressway corridor, restore order and protect critical public infrastructure . He noted that considerable progress had been recorded in clearing the corridor of illegal activities and obstructions, and that he would continue the inspection towards the Alaba Rago axis . Governor Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting public assets, ensuring the safety of road users and maintaining law and order across the state, while continuing to collaborate with security agencies to safeguard Lagos and create an environment where law-abiding residents and businesses could thrive .

Vandalised Festac-Alakija Bridge Structurally Sound, Safe for Use — Sanwo-Olu Assures Lagosians

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Kano Woman Pleads Guilty to Severing Boyfriend’s Manhood Over Marriage Dispute

Published

1 day ago

August 8, 2026

Trends Admin

Kano Woman Pleads Guilty to Severing Boyfriend’s Manhood Over Marriage Dispute

A Kano Magistrates’ Court has ordered the remand of 25-year-old Maimuna Idris in a correctional centre after she pleaded guilty to allegedly cutting off her boyfriend’s manhood with a knife. The prosecution told the court that the attack occurred after she discovered his intention to marry another woman .

The Kano State Police Command arrested Idris, a resident of Maigatari Local Government Area of Jigawa State, following a report from the management of Durbar Hotel in Badawa Quarters, Kano, who alerted authorities to the shocking incident . The incident occurred on July 27, 2026, at about 11:00 a.m., when Idris allegedly attacked her boyfriend, Ashiru Sani, with a sharp knife after learning of his plan to marry another woman, a revelation that sparked a violent reaction with life-altering consequences . According to the prosecution, the attack was so severe that she completely severed Sani’s manhood during the altercation, leaving him with catastrophic injuries that required immediate emergency medical attention . The hotel management alerted security operatives at approximately 12:50 p.m., prompting the Badawa Divisional Police Officer to lead a team of detectives to the scene, where the suspect was arrested and the weapon—a sharp knife—was recovered as an exhibit that will be presented as evidence during the trial .

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Idris was arraigned before Magistrate Sadiya Usman on a two-count charge of attempted culpable homicide and causing grievous hurt, offences that contravene Sections 229 and 248 of the Penal Code, which carry severe penalties upon conviction . In a dramatic development that surprised the courtroom, she pleaded guilty to both charges when they were read to her in court, potentially paving the way for a swift resolution of the case . Magistrate Usman ordered that Idris be remanded in a correctional centre and adjourned the case until September 9, 2026, for further mention, giving the prosecution time to prepare and present their case fully .

Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, has strongly condemned the attack, describing violence as an unacceptable response to personal disagreements and warning that such acts would not be tolerated in the state . The police assured residents that a diligent, transparent, and thorough investigation would be conducted, and that the suspect would be prosecuted following the completion of the probe to ensure that justice is served for the victim . The victim was rushed to Abubakar Imam Urology Hospital, Kano, where he is currently receiving medical treatment, with doctors working to address the extent of his injuries and provide the necessary care for his recovery . Police said the investigation is ongoing, and further details about the case are expected to emerge as the legal proceedings continue.