Nothing wrong with Third Mainland Bridge – FG 

The Federal Government has dispelled the rumour that the Third Mainland Bridge in Lagos has opened up and is shaking.

The Federal Controller of Works in Lagos State, Olukorede Kesha, told journalists on Thursday during the tour of the bridge that the rumours were driven by ulterior motives.

She stressed that the bridge is safe and nothing is wrong with it.

There were claims on different social media platforms that a part of the bridge had opened up and the structure was shaking.

But Kesha urged Nigerians to disregard the messages.

She said, “The honourable minister has directed that I come out and tell Lagosians and Nigerians that there is nothing wrong with the bridge.

“The rumour is the handiwork of mischief columnists – those who are idle and those who think that the political atmosphere is too quiet for them.

“That is why we have come here. I took time with you people (journalists) to go through the entire length of the 11km bridge.

“We drove round this; we came back and we saw that there is nothing amiss.

“We are using this opportunity to tell the motoring public, Lagosians and all Nigerians that the bridge is safe, the integrity is not in doubt.

“After all, it is the same bridge that we ply. Lagosians ply and the ministry’s officials ply.”

Govs Uzodimma, Diri, senators, Abike Dabiri, others lose prime Abuja land

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revoked the prime land allocated to some governors, senators and other top political figures.

Imo State governor, Hope Uzodimma; his Bayelsa counterpart, Diri Douye; Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, and the National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Samuel Anyanwu, are among the 568 persons whose land allocations in Maitama II, Cadastral Zone A10, Abuja, were withdrawn by the minister.

According to the media aide to the minister, Lere Olayinka, the withdrawal of the Right of Occupancy of the 568 land allottees came after the expiration of a two-week grace period granted them to pay their Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills.

Other notable public figures on the list of the 568 allottees are former Governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani; Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro; and Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

In early October, a total of 3,273 people were offered two weeks to pay their bills or lose their R-of-O titles, out of which 2,511 complied, leaving 762.

The 762 allottees were further allowed another grace period of two weeks to pay. But as of January 15, this year, 12 days after the expiration of the weeks, only 194 paid, leaving 568.

The latest notice read, “The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA wishes to inform the allottee(s)/ title holder(s) of plot(s) of land in Maitama II, Cadastral Zone A10, Abuja, who have failed to make payment for their Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) bills after the expiration of grace period granted by the Honourable Minister, Federal Capital Territory that their Right of Occupancy to the land/property has been withdrawn.”

It added, “The general public is, however, invited to note that allottees/title holders who have completed their payments on or before 15/01/2025 are not affected by this publication.”

Gunmen abduct UK-based man in Anambra, demand N100m ransom

Gunmen abducted Mr. Ikechukwu Okeke, a UK-based Nigerian, shortly after he returned to Amaokpala, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, for his cousin’s burial.

The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2025, after Mr. Okeke attended the burial of his cousin, Mrs. Obiageli Okoli.

Reports indicate that the kidnappers, who had been trailing him, seized him at the gate of his residence, forcing him into a Toyota Sienna before speeding off.

According to the Amaokpala Community in Diaspora, the kidnappers contacted Mr. Okeke’s family, demanding a ₦100 million ransom. Following intense negotiations, an undisclosed sum was paid, leading to his release after three days in captivity.

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Mr. Okeke expressed gratitude for his safe return, recounting his ordeal and attributing the rising insecurity in the state to youth unemployment. He urged the government to prioritize industrial investments, job creation, and enhanced security measures.

The community voiced its frustration with the growing insecurity in Anambra State and called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to take immediate action to restore safety and public trust.

However, Anambra State Police Command spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, stated that no official report of the incident had been filed with the command, urging the victim to report the case for proper investigation.

Gunmen abduct UK-based man in Anambra, demand N100m ransom