metro
Lagos warns against illegal developments, urges residents to obtain planning permits
Lagos warns against illegal developments, urges residents to obtain planning permits
The Lagos State Government has renewed its call on residents to secure planning permits before embarking on any building or property development, warning that defaulters risk heavy penalties or demolition.
The Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Dr. Oluyinka Olumide, made the appeal during a public awareness programme held on Thursday in Ojo.
The event, organised by the Ministry of Physical Planning and Urban Development in collaboration with the Lagos State Physical Planning Permit Authority (LASPPPA), brought together residents, community leaders, anhd stakeholders from Ojo, Badagry, Iba, Oto-Awori, Amuwo-Odofin, Oriade, and Olorunda districts.
Olumide explained that the sensitisation exercise was part of the state’s continuous efforts to educate the public on the importance and benefits of obtaining proper planning permits.
“Getting a planning permit is not just a formality — it’s the law,” he said.
“It ensures that buildings are structurally sound and safe for habitation. When a building collapses, it’s not only lives that are lost but government resources as well.”
The commissioner noted that having a valid planning permit enhances a property’s market value and credibility, adding that it also facilitates access to bank loans and embassy verification processes.
He warned that property owners who develop without approval would face severe sanctions.
“If a property is built without a permit, even if it meets planning standards, the penalty is four times higher than the normal fee,” he said.
“And if the structure is found to be unsuitable, it could be demolished.”
Olumide further cautioned residents against offering bribes to ministry officials, stressing that government staff had been adequately trained to discharge their duties with integrity.
He assured that once all requirements are met, obtaining a planning permit in Lagos should take no more than 10 working days.
Responding to appeals for an extension of the planning permit amnesty, the commissioner disclosed that a request had been submitted to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for consideration.
The last amnesty, he recalled, ran from May 1 to December 31, 2024.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary in the Office of Physical Planning, Mr. Oluwole Sotire, emphasised that active public participation was essential to effective urban development.
“Physical planning is about people and their environment. We want residents to understand that enforcing regulations is for their safety and benefit,” he said.
Sotire also addressed concerns over the poor state of roads in Alaba, revealing that a committee had been set up to review past demolitions and propose improvement measures.
He urged residents to support government projects through regular tax payments.
“The government has many plans for development, but funding is limited. Paying taxes ensures we can execute these projects,” he added.
metro
FG Begins Formal Recovery of 157 Almajiri Schools for Nationwide Rehabilitation
FG Begins Formal Recovery of 157 Almajiri Schools for Nationwide Rehabilitation
The Federal Government has commenced the official recovery of 157 model Almajiri schools built during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, in a renewed push to overhaul Almajiri education across the country.
The move was confirmed by Nura Muhammad, spokesperson for the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education (NCAOOSCE), during an interview in Abuja on Sunday. He described the recovery process as a crucial step toward fully revamping and institutionalising Almajiri education.
Muhammad explained that the effort follows the establishment of a legally backed national body now responsible for all Almajiri-related programmes — a structure he said was missing during earlier reform attempts.
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While commending former President Jonathan for constructing the schools, which he described as “a noble and well-intentioned stride toward modernising the system,” Muhammad noted that the previous initiative struggled due to weak policy implementation, including inadequate engagement with Alarammas, the traditional Qur’anic teachers who play a central role in the Almajiri system.
He added that the lack of a strong institutional framework — with the project operating only as an initiative under the Federal Ministry of Education — contributed to its challenges.
According to him, the Commission is now strengthened by law and guided by the newly adopted National Policy on Almajiri Education, positioning it to deliver sustainable reforms.
Muhammad expressed confidence that harmful practices linked to the Almajiri system would be addressed, emphasising that all recovered schools would soon be fully under the Commission’s control and rehabilitated to serve their original purpose.
FG Begins Formal Recovery of 157 Almajiri Schools for Nationwide Rehabilitation
metro
Delta State Police Arrest Suspects in Killing of Retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwu
Delta State Police Arrest Suspects in Killing of Retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwu
The Delta State Police Command has made a significant breakthrough in the investigation into the murder of retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwu in Anambra State, arresting key suspects linked to the case.
Spokesperson SP Bright Edafe disclosed on Sunday that operatives of the Homicide Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), acting on credible intelligence, apprehended 25-year-old security guard Godwin Mngumi on 6 December 2025. Mngumi allegedly murdered the retired judge, and authorities also recovered the deceased’s mobile phone from him.
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According to Edafe, Mngumi confessed to inviting a friend, Nnaji Obalum, and another accomplice — who remains at large — to the residence where the crime was committed. Obalum has since been arrested, while a manhunt continues for the third suspect.
The arrests mark a major step forward in the effort to bring all perpetrators of the high-profile murder to justice.
Delta State Police Arrest Suspects in Killing of Retired Justice Ifeoma Okogwu
metro
Delta State Police Recover Arms, Arraign 18 Suspects in Crackdown on Cultism, Violent Crimes
Delta State Police Recover Arms, Arraign 18 Suspects in Crackdown on Cultism, Violent Crimes
The Delta State Police Command, led by Commissioner of Police CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, has made significant strides in its ongoing campaign against cultism and violent crimes. Recent operations, including an intelligence-led arms recovery in Abraka and the arraignment of 18 suspects, highlight the command’s intensified enforcement efforts across the state.
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Spokesperson SP Bright Edafe said on Saturday that the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), under ASP Julius Robinson, executed a successful operation on December 6, 2025, targeting cult-related activities and the proliferation of illegal firearms. Acting on credible intelligence, officers conducted a coordinated search at No. 2 Umeghe Community, Abraka, the residence of Isiakpere Friday, 67.
The move underscores the Delta State Police’s commitment to restoring safety and security in communities affected by criminal and cult-related activities.
Delta State Police Recover Arms, Arraign 18 Suspects in Crackdown on Cultism, Violent Crimes
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