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Lagos Seals Over 2,800 Unsafe Buildings, Construction Sites

Published

5 months ago

May 18, 2026

Oyerinde briefing newsmen on Monday

Lagos Seals Over 2,800 Unsafe Buildings, Construction Sites

The Lagos State Government has intensified its crackdown on unsafe buildings, non-compliant businesses and hazardous construction activities across the state, sealing hundreds of facilities and enforcing safety regulations on more than 2,800 sites between 2025 and 2026.

The enforcement drive, carried out through the Lagos State Safety Commission, forms part of the administration’s renewed efforts to prevent accidents, reduce structural failures and strengthen workplace safety standards across critical sectors of the state economy.

Speaking during the 2026 Ministerial Press Briefing held at the Bagauda Kaltho Press Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, the Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Mr. Olugbenga Oyerinde, disclosed that the state government had significantly expanded safety monitoring and enforcement operations under Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.

According to the commissioner, the commission achieved safety compliance certification for more than 3,500 construction sites statewide during the review period, while over 2,800 construction sites, businesses and facilities found violating safety regulations faced enforcement actions.

Oyerinde explained that the aggressive enforcement campaign was aimed at protecting lives and property amid growing concerns over building collapse in Lagos, unsafe work environments and repeated incidents involving structural failures and workplace accidents.

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As part of the enforcement exercise, the commissioner disclosed that more than 100 restaurants and supermarkets were sealed after failing safety audits and inspections conducted by officials of the commission. He added that the commission also carried out comprehensive inspections across major sectors of the economy, including haulage, oil and gas, transportation, hospitality and manufacturing industries.

Between May 2025 and May 2026, the commission reportedly audited 500 haulage and logistics facilities, 70 oil and gas facilities, 67 transportation companies, 130 high-rise buildings, 206 manufacturing facilities and over 100 microfinance banks. The commissioner further revealed that more than 50 filling stations across the state received suitability permits after meeting required safety standards.

Oyerinde stated that the Lekki, Oniru and Victoria Island corridor witnessed some of the most intense enforcement activities due to rapid urban development and increasing high-rise construction projects within the axis. According to him, the commission issued 89 contravention notices and 37 stop-work orders to project owners over serious safety infractions capable of causing accidents, injuries and structural collapse.

He added that 20 facilities were eventually sealed in the corridor, while nine court summons and five hearing notices were issued against defaulting organisations that allegedly failed to comply with safety directives. The commissioner also disclosed that in the Ikorodu axis alone, 117 construction sites were inspected while 82 enforcement operations were carried out against non-compliant construction firms and industrial facilities.

Beyond construction and industrial monitoring, the commissioner said the Safety Commission intensified public sensitisation and advocacy programmes in schools, markets, workplaces, hospitality centres and event locations across the state. According to him, stakeholders received training on industrial safety, occupational health, fire prevention, emergency response procedures, machine safety and accident prevention.

Oyerinde noted that safety marshals were deployed to more than 1,450 public and private events statewide, including religious gatherings, weddings, marathons and sporting competitions to ensure crowd control and emergency preparedness.

The commissioner further disclosed that the commission investigated seven major incidents involving drowning, electrocution, injuries and fatal structural collapses within the hospitality sector during the review period. He added that 641 risk assessments and safety audits were conducted across hotels, lounges, swimming pools, event centres and nightclubs in different parts of Lagos.

According to him, the government also introduced safety awareness programmes for students by inaugurating school safety ambassadors drawn from 15 public and private secondary schools.

The renewed safety enforcement campaign comes amid persistent concerns over recurring cases of building collapse in Lagos, which have led to deaths, injuries and destruction of property in recent years. The state government has repeatedly maintained that it would continue to enforce strict compliance with safety regulations, especially within the construction and hospitality sectors.

Authorities recently reaffirmed a zero-tolerance policy against unsafe construction practices, unapproved developments and facilities operating without proper safety certification.

The government also disclosed that improved emergency response operations helped save properties worth over N118 billion from fire incidents in 2025, although losses estimated at N19.72 billion were recorded from various fire outbreaks across the state.

Oyerinde reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to protecting residents, preventing avoidable disasters and ensuring that businesses and property owners comply fully with established safety regulations.

Lagos Seals Over 2,800 Unsafe Buildings, Construction Sites

Related Topics:buildings Construction Sites Lagos Seals

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Enugu Man Recounts How HIV Argument Allegedly Led to Girlfriend’s Death

Published

1 hour ago

October 2, 2026

Trends Admin

Okpara Chibuike Emmanuel

Enugu Man Recounts How HIV Argument Allegedly Led to Girlfriend’s Death

A 30-year-old man, Okpara Chibuike Emmanuel, has told the Enugu State Police Command how he allegedly killed his 27-year-old girlfriend, Chinyere Rosemary Ugwu, after an argument involving allegations over HIV infection.

Emmanuel gave the account during an interview with the Enugu State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, in a video released by the command on Friday.

The police identified Ugwu as a Medical Laboratory Science graduate of the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu, who had recently completed her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme.

According to Emmanuel, the incident occurred around midnight on September 19, 2026, at his residence in Olympic Layout, One-Day area of Enugu.

He said the argument started after he told Ugwu that he could treat people living with hepatitis C, HIV and syphilis. Emmanuel alleged that Ugwu then accused him of infecting her with HIV, leading to a heated argument that escalated into a physical confrontation.

The suspect claimed Ugwu picked up a pestle and began hitting him, after which he said he took the object from her and struck her, causing her to collapse.

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Emmanuel further told the police that he subsequently used a machete to inflict injuries on her wrist, head and neck.

The police said the latest investigation revealed that the suspect’s account went beyond the initial allegation that he had used a pestle. According to the command, he also allegedly used a machete during the incident.

After the alleged killing, Emmanuel said he wrapped Ugwu’s body in a black nylon bag and moved it into the toilet of the apartment. He said he then locked the toilet and the master bedroom before leaving.

The remains were later discovered after neighbours reportedly noticed an offensive odour coming from the apartment. The neighbours forced their way inside and found the decomposing body.

Police had earlier said Emmanuel was apprehended by residents and was subsequently rescued from an angry mob before being re-arrested by officers attached to the Awkunanaw Division.

The remains were evacuated to a mortuary for preservation and autopsy, while the investigation continued. (Premium Times Nigeria)

During the police interview, Emmanuel also admitted damaging Ugwu’s Samsung phone, saying he feared that it could be used to trace him. He said her iPhone had already been switched off after she complained that it was faulty.

The suspect said he first met Ugwu through Facebook in 2023 and that they resumed their relationship after she returned to Enugu in 2026. He claimed that he intended to marry her and had discussed the relationship with her mother.

Emmanuel also suggested that he was not fully aware of his actions at the time of the incident and appealed for forgiveness and mercy.

However, Ugwu’s family has disputed reports that she was killed simply because of an HIV-related disagreement, insisting that the circumstances surrounding her death require a thorough and independent investigation.

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Her immediate elder sister, Kenechi Maryam, said members of the family were present during an interview involving Emmanuel and the Commissioner of Police. She said the suspect’s accounts about the injuries and weapons allegedly used raised questions that the family wanted investigators to resolve.

According to the family, Emmanuel initially spoke about using a pestle but later mentioned a machete when questioned about injuries to Ugwu’s head and neck.

The family has called on the police, medical personnel and other relevant authorities to establish the actual cause of death, the nature of the injuries and what weapon or object caused them.

The family has also urged journalists and members of the public not to treat the alleged HIV dispute as an established motive until investigators have completed their work. (ThisDay.com.ng)

The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mamman Bitrus Giwa, has assured Ugwu’s parents and siblings that justice would be served. The command said the victim’s family had been identified and interviewed as part of the ongoing investigation.

The commissioner has directed investigators to conclude the case and ensure that the suspect is charged to court after the investigation.

The police have also urged members of the public, particularly young women, to inform trusted relatives or friends of their whereabouts when visiting or spending time with people they know.

The allegations against Emmanuel remain subject to investigation and possible court proceedings, while the circumstances surrounding Ugwu’s death have yet to be fully established.

Enugu Man Recounts How HIV Argument Allegedly Led to Girlfriend’s Death

metro

Court Remands Man Accused of Impersonating JAMB Registrar in Kuje Prison

Published

2 hours ago

October 2, 2026

Trends Admin

Arinze Nwogba

Court Remands Man Accused of Impersonating JAMB Registrar in Kuje Prison

The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the remand of Arinze Nwogba in the Kuje Correctional Centre over allegations that he impersonated the Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Segun Aina.

Justice Salim Ibrahim ordered that Nwogba remain in custody pending a ruling on his bail application. The court fixed October 7, 2026, for ruling on the bail request and October 19 for the commencement of trial. (Vanguard News)

The case was brought by the Inspector-General of Police in a six-count charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/612/2026. The charge was dated September 18 and filed on September 21, 2026.

Nwogba, who was arraigned before the court, pleaded not guilty to all six counts.

The police alleged that Nwogba and other suspects still at large fraudulently impersonated the JAMB Registrar in 2026 by using Prof. Aina’s name and photograph on platforms including WhatsApp, Truecaller and LinkedIn.

According to the prosecution, the alleged syndicate used the identity to approach unsuspecting members of the public with purported offers of government and JAMB-related contracts.

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Investigators alleged that the suspects directed prospective victims to communicate through a WhatsApp number and claimed that the Federal Ministry of Education had approved the supply of 200 HP laptops as part of a digitisation programme.

The prosecution further alleged that victims were asked to pay N900,000 as an initial processing or “handshake” fee, with another N3 million allegedly demanded for payments purportedly meant for senior officials in the Ministry of Education.

Police investigations reportedly led to Nwogba’s arrest in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, in August.

The prosecution told the court that Nwogba allegedly operated under the name Dr Stephen Igwe and provided bank details to facilitate the alleged transactions.

Investigators also alleged that an Access Bank account linked to a deceased person was provided for the payment of the requested money. Police said Nwogba told investigators that the account belonged to his late nephew, who died in April 2026 and was buried in July.

The police further alleged that Nwogba admitted forwarding the account details to a cousin identified as Nnabuife Nwekpa, whom investigators described as the alleged principal suspect in the operation.

Nwekpa remains at large, according to the prosecution, while efforts are reportedly ongoing to arrest him.

The case followed a petition by the JAMB Registrar concerning the alleged unauthorised use of his identity and photograph to deceive members of the public.

At Friday’s proceedings, Nwogba’s lawyer, Christian Ejike, urged the court to grant his client bail on liberal terms. The prosecution opposed the application, arguing that there was a risk that the defendant could evade trial if released.

The prosecution also told the court that its witnesses and exhibits were ready and that it was prepared to proceed with the case.

Justice Ibrahim, after hearing arguments from both sides, adjourned the bail ruling to October 7 and fixed October 19 for trial.

The allegations against Nwogba remain before the court, and his plea of not guilty means that the prosecution must prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt.

Court Remands Man Accused of Impersonating JAMB Registrar in Kuje Prison

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Police Identify 27-Year-Old NYSC Graduate Allegedly Killed by Boyfriend

Published

3 hours ago

October 2, 2026

Trends Admin

Enugu State Commissioner of Police, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa

Police Identify 27-Year-Old NYSC Graduate Allegedly Killed by Boyfriend

The Enugu State Police Command has identified a 27-year-old woman allegedly killed by her boyfriend as Chinyere Rosemary Ugwu, a graduate of Medical Laboratory Science from the Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu.

Ugwu, who recently completed her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, was allegedly killed by her boyfriend, 30-year-old Okpara Chibuike Emmanuel, in Enugu.

The suspect was arrested after the discovery of Ugwu’s remains at his residence in the Olympic Layout, One-Day area of Enugu.

According to the police, the incident allegedly occurred on September 19, 2026. Ugwu’s remains were reportedly discovered after neighbours became suspicious of an offensive odour coming from the suspect’s apartment.

The police said neighbours forced the door open and found the deceased’s remains concealed in the toilet. Emmanuel was reportedly apprehended by residents before police officers arrived and took him into custody.

The command had earlier alleged that an argument between the couple over claims relating to HIV infection preceded the incident. Police said the suspect told investigators that he struck Ugwu on the head with a pestle during the confrontation.

However, the circumstances surrounding the death remain under investigation, and the suspect’s account has not been established as fact by a court.

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Ugwu’s remains were reportedly taken to a mortuary for preservation and autopsy as investigators work to establish the circumstances and cause of her death. The police have not announced the outcome of the autopsy.

In a fresh update, the Enugu police command said investigators had established the identity of the deceased and identified her parents and siblings, who were subsequently interviewed as part of the investigation.

The Commissioner of Police, Mamman Giwa, also met with members of Ugwu’s family and the suspect. The commissioner assured the family that the command would conduct a thorough investigation and pursue justice in accordance with the law.

The family has also reportedly called for a comprehensive investigation, questioning the suggestion that the alleged killing should be attributed solely to an HIV-related disagreement.

The police said Emmanuel has been interviewed by investigators as efforts continue to establish the full circumstances surrounding Ugwu’s death.

The command urged members of the public, particularly women, to remain vigilant in their relationships and when meeting people they know. It advised people to keep trusted relatives or friends informed about their whereabouts and to take warning signs in potentially dangerous situations seriously.

The police said further information would be released as the investigation progresses.