Lagos govt demolishes 19 buildings at Trade Fair Plaza, traders lament - Newstrends
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Lagos govt demolishes 19 buildings at Trade Fair Plaza, traders lament

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Lagos govt demolishes 19 buildings at Trade Fair Plaza, traders lament

No fewer than 19 buildings were, yesterday, demolished at the New Mandela Plaza, within the popular Trade Fair Complex, in Lagos, as the Lagos State government moved in with heavy security to enforce the exercise.

The demolition was carried out under tight security, with convoys of trucks from the Lagos State Task Force, Rapid Response Squad, and other tactical teams stationed around the plaza. Stern-looking officers restricted access to the premises and dispersed traders who attempted to record the operation.

By the time of filing this report, several targeted buildings inside the plaza had already been reduced to rubble, sparking outrage among shop owners, many of whom claimed they were not given prior notice.

One trader, speaking reluctantly, said: “We don’t even know the reason for the demolition. That’s why you see people moving up and down, asking questions.” Another speculated that the affected structures may have been marked for being too close to a canal.

A visibly agitated plaza owner, who arrived as his shop was being pulled down, shouted from his car that no notice was served before the bulldozers moved in. Several sales representatives also lamented that their bosses’ goods, still locked inside shops, were destroyed along with the buildings.

Distraught traders told Vanguard that no fewer than 19 buildings, each valued at over N150 million, were affected. One trader fumed: “If government doesn’t want companies or development here, they should just come out and say it. People have invested their life savings here. Over 19 buildings are in that plaza.”

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Another trader, Chief Magnus Ike, Chief Executive Officer, Magnus Merchandise, watched as his multi-billion-Naira property stood no chance against the bulldozers. He insisted he had federal approval for the structure: “Honestly, I have not been served any notice from the Lagos State Government whatsoever. The only notices we get here are from the Federal Government, and we comply. This building was inspected. Even the Ministry of Environment has been here. If there is any problem, the proper thing is to notify us. You don’t just let people borrow bank money, take loans, and then crush their investment overnight.”

Dismissing claim that his property sat on a canal, he gestured around: “Look for yourself, there is no canal here. Whatever their reason is, due process demands notice. None was given.”

Yet, standing defiantly amid the ruins, said: “Demolition or not, I will continue to build. Lagos is for all of us, we go nowhere.”

His younger brother, Mr. Magnus Ikenna, was equally distraught. He said: “Even as of Wednesday, there was no sign of demolition. This morning, they just moved in with bulldozers and started tear-gassing everybody. They said we don’t have state approval, but since 2000 we’ve always dealt with federal government here. How can the rules suddenly change overnight?”

Lagos govt demolishes 19 buildings at Trade Fair Plaza, traders lament

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Kano Police Trace 12 Stolen Vehicles, Arrest 10 Suspects

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Kano Police Trace 12 Stolen Vehicles, Arrest 10 Suspects

The Kano State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected members of an alleged interstate car theft syndicate and recovered 12 vehicles linked to the group.

Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Adamu Bakori disclosed this on Wednesday during a briefing at the Tarauni Area Command.

According to him, five suspects were first arrested in Adamawa on September 7, leading to the recovery of a Mercedes-Benz GLK 350. Further investigation resulted in the recovery of 10 additional vehicles from Kano and neighbouring states.

Five more suspects were arrested on September 12 at Kwankwasiyya City Quarters, Tarauni, where police allegedly recovered a stolen Toyota Hilux.

Bakori said preliminary findings showed that the suspects allegedly operated across Kano, Katsina, Bauchi, Gombe and other states. He said the group allegedly stole vehicles, hid them at different locations and moved them across state borders for resale.

The commissioner noted that 11 of the 12 recovered vehicles were unregistered, making it difficult to trace their owners.

He urged vehicle owners to register their vehicles and display valid number plates, while warning that unregistered vehicles could make criminal investigations more difficult.

Bakori said investigations were ongoing and efforts were underway to arrest other suspected members of the syndicate.

 

Kano Police Trace 12 Stolen Vehicles, Arrest 10 Suspects

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Osun Govt Vows to Prosecute Those Behind Recent Killings

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Adeleke withdraws EFCC suit after Tinubu’s intervention
Osun Govt Vows to Prosecute Those Behind Recent Killings

The Osun State Government has vowed to prosecute anyone found responsible for the recent killings and violent clashes across the state.

The government also denied allegations that it was protecting those suspected of killing Olalekan Oyeyemi amid a leadership dispute in the state chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

Speaking on Wednesday, the Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Security Matters, Samuel Ojo, said the administration would allow security agencies to investigate the cases without interference.

 Adeleke Summons Security Chiefs

Following the recent violence, Adeleke called an emergency security meeting attended by commanders from the police, DSS, Army, NDLEA, Immigration, Correctional Service, Civil Defence and Amotekun.

Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi represented the governor at the meeting.

Ojo said the security chiefs agreed to intensify efforts to stop further killings and restore peace across Osun.

He also dismissed claims that the government was shielding suspects in Oyeyemi’s murder, saying the police and DSS had been directed to thoroughly investigate the case.

Meanwhile, two NURTW leaders, Gbedegesin and Kareem Akeem, had alleged that Oyeyemi was killed because some union leaders opposed his proposed emergence as the next state chairman.

Transportation Commissioner Sesan Oyedele, however, denied that the government endorsed Oyeyemi for the position. He said the union leaders only informed him of their decision to choose the deceased.

About five people have reportedly been killed between August 24 and September 15 in Ikire, Ile-Ife and Osogbo in incidents linked to motor park disputes and alleged cult-related clashes.

 

Osun Govt Vows to Prosecute Those Behind Recent Killings

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57-Year-Old Man Arrested Over Sexual Abuse of Stepdaughter in Edo

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57-Year-Old Man Arrested Over Sexual Abuse of Stepdaughter in Edo
Commissioner of Police, Patrick Daaor

57-Year-Old Man Arrested Over Sexual Abuse of Stepdaughter in Edo

The Edo State Police Command has arrested a 57-year-old man, identified as Kadiri Edenokun, over the alleged defilement of his six-year-old stepdaughter in Jattu, Etsako West Local Government Area of Edo State.

The suspect was reportedly taken into custody after the alleged abuse of the child was brought to the attention of the authorities, prompting the police to commence an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the case.

Police sources said the suspect allegedly admitted during interrogation that the incident occurred on more than one occasion. However, the allegation remains under investigation, and Edenokun has not been convicted of any offence.

The case has renewed attention on the problem of child sexual abuse in Edo State, particularly allegations involving adults who have regular access to children within homes and other familiar environments.

The Edo State Government disclosed in August that more than 70 cases of child defilement had been recorded in the state between January and July 2026. The Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Eugenia Abdallah, said children between the ages of two and 10 were among those affected.

The commissioner also said that more than half of the cases reported during the period involved fathers of the affected children, highlighting concerns over sexual abuse occurring within family settings.

The state government has continued to work with relevant agencies on cases of sexual and gender-based violence, including the provision of medical, psychosocial and protective support to survivors.

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The Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development has also been involved in providing temporary protective care and other forms of assistance to children and young people affected by sexual violence.

In a separate case reported recently, the ministry provided an update on a 16-year-old girl who was allegedly sexually abused and became pregnant. The ministry said the survivor was placed in a government shelter and was receiving support while arrangements were being made for her welfare and education.

The police have also reported a number of arrests involving alleged sexual offences against minors across Edo State.

The Commissioner of Police, Patrick Daaor, said the command arrested several suspects in August in connection with sexual and gender-based violence. Some of the suspects were subsequently charged to court, while investigations into other cases continued.

Among the cases reported by the command were allegations involving girls aged 13, 15 and 11. Police also reported investigations involving alleged defilement of minors in Okpella and other parts of the state.

At its August operational review, the Edo Police Command said 12 suspects had been arrested in connection with sexual and gender-based violence during the month. The command also reported arrests linked to kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, human trafficking and other offences.

The latest case involving the six-year-old girl is expected to be subjected to further investigation to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged abuse and determine whether sufficient evidence exists to support criminal charges.

The child has reportedly been placed under appropriate care and is receiving medical attention with the involvement of the Edo State Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

Child protection advocates have consistently stressed the importance of promptly reporting suspected cases of child abuse and sexual violence, particularly where the alleged perpetrator is a family member, caregiver or another adult with access to the child.

Under Nigerian law, allegations of defilement involving children are treated as serious criminal matters, with the relevant authorities responsible for investigating reported cases and presenting evidence before a court where prosecution is warranted.

The police are expected to complete their investigation and take appropriate legal steps based on the evidence gathered.

Edenokun remains an accused person at this stage, and any determination of criminal responsibility will ultimately be made through due process and, where applicable, by a court of law.

57-Year-Old Man Arrested Over Sexual Abuse of Stepdaughter in Edo

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