Rivers police arrest 50-year-old man over alleged defilement of two minors

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 50-year-old man, identified as Godwin, over the alleged defilement of two minors in Ogale community, Eleme Local Government Area of the state.

The minors, aged 13 and 11, were reportedly referred for medical examination as part of the ongoing police investigation.

The suspect was arrested on Monday by operatives of the Eleme Police Division after the parents of the two girls lodged a formal complaint with the police.

A relative of one of the minors, identified as Cletus, alleged that the suspect used errands to gain access to the children.

According to him, the suspect would allegedly send the girls to purchase items and invite them into his room when they returned.

Cletus further alleged that the suspect would lock the door and increase the volume of music playing in the room before carrying out the alleged acts.

He also claimed that the girls were threatened and warned not to disclose what had allegedly happened to them.

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The allegations have not been proven in court, and the suspect is presumed innocent unless found guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Confirming the arrest, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, Blessing Agabe, said the suspect was in police custody and that investigations were ongoing.

Agabe said the police had issued medical forms to the parents of the minors to enable the girls to undergo medical examinations.

She explained that the medical findings would assist investigators in determining relevant facts and the appropriate next steps in the case.

“Yes, I can confirm the arrest of the suspect. He is in our custody,” Agabe said.

“However, the police issued a medical form to allow the girls to undergo an examination.”

The police spokesperson added that investigators were awaiting the medical reports, noting that the results would form part of the evidence being considered in the case.

She said the investigation was still ongoing and that the medical examinations were an important part of the process.

The case has renewed concerns about the protection of children and the need for parents, guardians, schools, community leaders and relevant authorities to respond promptly to reports of suspected sexual abuse.

Child-protection advocates have continued to call for timely reporting, professional medical care, appropriate psychosocial support and thorough investigations in cases involving minors.

The police are expected to determine the next course of action after reviewing the medical findings and other evidence gathered during the investigation.

As of the time of filing this report, the Rivers State Police Command had not announced the conclusion of the investigation or stated whether the suspect would be charged.

Rivers police arrest 50-year-old man over alleged defilement of two minors

Ansar-Ud-Deen Society to Commission New National Headquarters Saturday, Tinubu Expected as Special Guest

Lagos, Nigeria – The Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria is set to commission its new national headquarters on Saturday, August 1, 2026, in Surulere, Lagos, marking another milestone in the organization’s more than a century of service to Islam, education and national development.

According to an official announcement by the society, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is expected to attend the event as the Special Guest of Honour. The President, who is also the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is scheduled to officially commission the edifice.

The newly completed headquarters, named Hassanat Abebi Okunnu House, is located at 57/61, Fashoro Street, Surulere, Lagos. The project is expected to serve as the administrative hub of the society’s nationwide activities.

The commissioning ceremony is themed around the society’s enduring commitment to service, with the slogan, “A Legacy of Service. A Future of Impact.” The event also carries the broader message, “Building on Our Past. Serving the Present. Inspiring the Future.”

Founded on December 21, 1923, the Ansar-Ud-Deen Society of Nigeria is one of the country’s oldest Islamic organizations, renowned for its contributions to education, moral development, healthcare and community service.

To enable wider participation, the society has announced that the commissioning ceremony will be streamed live via Zoom and on its official Facebook platform, allowing members and well-wishers across Nigeria and beyond to witness the historic occasion virtually.

The event is expected to attract religious leaders, government officials, traditional rulers, members of the society and other distinguished guests from across the country.

Ansar-Ud-Deen Society to Commission New National Headquarters Saturday, Tinubu Expected as Special Guest

Lagos moves to improve waste disposal, unveils new road, platforms 

The Lagos State Government has intensified efforts to tackle waste disposal challenges by commissioning a rehabilitated internal road and newly constructed disposal platforms at the Olusosun Disposal Facility, a move expected to accelerate waste evacuation and improve sanitation across the state.

The infrastructure, inaugurated on Tuesday through the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), is designed to eliminate operational bottlenecks, improve access within the facility and reduce delays experienced by waste collection trucks, particularly during the rainy season.

Speaking at the commissioning, LAWMA Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Muyiwa Gbadegesin, described the project as a strategic investment aimed at strengthening the state’s waste management system and enhancing operational efficiency at one of Lagos’ busiest disposal facilities.

He explained that the rehabilitation of Road E became necessary after heavy rainfall damaged parts of the route, making it difficult for compactor trucks conveying municipal waste from different parts of the state to access the dumpsite.

According to him, the upgraded road, alongside the newly built disposal platforms, will enable more trucks to offload waste simultaneously, reduce turnaround time and improve the overall flow of waste evacuation operations.

“This project represents another important milestone in our commitment to building a more efficient and resilient waste management system for Lagos. By improving access to the disposal facility and expanding operational capacity, we are addressing immediate challenges while laying the foundation for long-term improvements in waste evacuation across the state,” Gbadegesin said.

The LAWMA boss noted that the intervention reflects Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to strengthening critical waste management infrastructure through strategic partnerships with the private sector.

He commended Zoomlion Nigeria Limited for rehabilitating the road as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility initiative, adding that the relationship between the company and LAWMA had grown beyond CSR into a broader technical collaboration focused on improving waste infrastructure across Lagos.

Gbadegesin disclosed that Zoomlion is also constructing modern Transfer Loading Stations at Olusosun and Solous III, each with the capacity to process about 2,500 metric tonnes of waste daily.

He added that the state government is simultaneously investing in Material Recovery Facilities, waste-to-energy plants, biogas projects and the planned acquisition of additional compactor trucks over the next three years to expand waste evacuation capacity and improve service delivery.

According to him, Olusosun currently receives about half of the municipal solid waste generated daily in Lagos, making sustained investment in critical infrastructure essential as the state gradually transitions to a more integrated and environmentally sustainable waste management system.

Gbadegesin also reaffirmed that the planned decommissioning of the Olusosun Disposal Facility would be implemented in phases after adequate alternative infrastructure had been put in place to ensure uninterrupted waste management services.

He urged residents to support government efforts by using assigned Private Sector Participation (PSP) operators, paying waste collection bills promptly and avoiding indiscriminate dumping of refuse.

Managing Director of Zoomlion Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Habiba Abubakar, said the project was completed in just 26 days, ahead of schedule, describing it as the first phase of a wider partnership with LAWMA to improve waste collection, transfer and disposal infrastructure across Lagos.

Also speaking, President of the Association of Waste Managers of Nigeria (AWAMN), Dr. Olugbenga Adebola, praised the Lagos State Government, LAWMA and Zoomlion for the initiative.

He said improved access to disposal facilities would ease operational challenges faced by PSP operators, reduce waiting time for compactor trucks and significantly enhance waste evacuation across the state.

Adebola expressed confidence that ongoing investments in Transfer Loading Stations and other waste management infrastructure would further strengthen Lagos’ environmental management system and support LAWMA’s long-term reform agenda.