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Herdsmen: Ogun monarchs, residents accuse soldiers of assault

Published

6 years ago

January 23, 2021

Some monarchs and residents of Ketu-speaking villages in the Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State have accused some soldiers from 35 Artillery Brigade Alamala, Abeokuta of flogging them for preventing herdsmen to from grazing in their communities.

They told The Nation that the soldiers, numbering about 10, humiliated them when they escorted the herders to graze in their villages.

One of the residents, identified simply as Mulero, was said to have been beaten mercilessly, leaving him with serious injuries, for insisting that the herdsmen would not be allowed to graze.

It was also gathered that traditional rulers were beaten after they were forced to convoke a meeting.

According to them, the herdsmen, who had departed the village after their continued presence was rejected suddenly resurfaced about 2pm on December 19, 2020 with the soldiers from the 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta.

The soldiers headed straight to the palace of the traditional ruler of the community, Chief Olaleye Adigun, calling out the villagers and warning them against preventing the evicted herdsmen from returning to the village.

It was in the middle of this strange encounter that the soldiers were told that the herders would not be allowed to remain in the community because of their brutal killing of residents and the destruction of their farmlands in recent times.

“Everyone was frightened by the action and utterances of the soldiers but I summoned courage to tell them how a Geography teacher Mr. Yomi Akinola, and two students of the Community High School, Ibeku, among others, were killed by the herdsmen while our women were raped and killed on their way to the farm,” a resident said

The resident also said, “Before I knew it, the herdsmen had motioned to the soldiers who immediately pulled me out of the audience and flogged me mercilessly with a wire whip. It was as if I stole something valuable.

“As I speak, my body still aches because of the wounds, even after I had been treated in a hospital.

“Numerous other villagers were subjected to the brutal act as the soldiers escorted the herdsmen from one village to another all in a bid to intimidate us into allowing them to graze on our farms.”

Indigenes of Iselu, Ibeku, Agbon-Ojodu, Asa and other villages were also assaulted by the soldiers at the instance of the herdsmen.

One of them, Gabriel, was said to be given deafening slaps after he was identified as one of those who resisted the herdsmen’s attempt to graze.

Narrating their ordeal in a petition, the traditional rulers said the herdsmen confirmed that they invited the soldiers to intimidate and beat them.

The traditional rulers are the Oniggua of Iggualand, Oba Micheal Dosumu; the Eselu of Iseluland, Oba Akintunde Akinyemi; and the Alademeso of Igan Alade, Oba Gabriel Olalowo.

The monarchs in a petition addressed to the Brigade Commander, 35 Artillery Brigade, Nigerian Army, Alamala, Abeokuta, titled, ‘Matter of urgency,’ dated January 7, 2020, said, “The Baale was asked to gather his subjects and people from nearby villages which he did.

“The soldiers told the people that the purpose of their visit was to inform them that the Fulani herders would be coming into their communities to graze cows.

“After their address, they asked if anyone had questions or comments to make in reaction to the information. Expectedly, one Mr Seye Mulero responded by calling the attention of the soldiers to the inherent challenges of allowing the herders in their communities based on the sad previous experiences in the community.

“That the said Seye Mulero further cited past killings, maiming and destruction of farms to buttress his point. Sadly, at this point, the soldiers seized him and mercilessly beat him up.

“In the same manner, the Fulani herders in company with the suspected soldiers left Ibeku for Asa, the adjoining village, to address the Baale of Asa and his subjects as they had earlier done at Ibeku, the people refused to respond, having heard what transpired at Ibeku.

“However, one of the Fulani herders sighted some people in the audience and picked on them as those that purportedly shouted on them at Ibeku while brutalising their victim (Seye Mulero). The herders asked the soldiers to also deal with them.”

Related Topics:herdsmen Ogun communities soldiers

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

Published

1 hour 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

9 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.