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LASTMA impounds 40 vehicles for operating illegal garages

Published

2 weeks ago

June 21, 2024

LASTMA impounds 40 vehicles for operating illegal garages

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has impounded another 25 commercial and 15 private vehicles operating illegal garages and causing serious road obstructions around the Oyingbo, Ijora, and Idumota areas of Lagos.

Taofiq Adebayo, Director, of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, said this in a statement on Friday in Lagos. Adebayo noted that the impounding of the vehicles in these areas was a decisive move by LASTMA to restore order and ensure the free flow of traffic.

He said the operation was led by LASTMA Head of Enforcement, Kayode Odunuga, under the directives of the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Sola Giwa. Adebayo that they were specifically directed to target illegal garages that had been a persistent source of congestion and inconvenience for residents and commuters.

He said the impoundment, which began in recent weeks, was part of a broader initiative by the Lagos State Government to enhance the efficiency of the city’s transportation network. He quoted Giwa as emphasising that the government is committed to maintaining law and order on the roads, ensuring that all traffic regulations are strictly enforced.

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“Illegal garages have been a significant challenge in our quest to maintain a seamless traffic flow in Lagos.

“These impoundments send a strong message to all offenders that the state will not tolerate activities that disrupt public order and endanger the lives of our citizens.

“Our goal is to create a safe and orderly environment for all road users and this action is a crucial step in that direction,” Giwa said.

He noted that the targeted areas, Oyingbo, Ijora, and Idumota, are known hotspots for traffic congestion due to unauthorised parking and the establishment of makeshift garages. He said that these activities not only obstruct the free movement of vehicles but also pose safety risks to pedestrians.

“LASTMA’s intervention aims to clear these bottlenecks and enhance the overall traffic situation in these critical areas.

“Residents and business owners have expressed their support for the government’s action, noting the positive impact it will have on their daily activities.

“LASTMA has also assured the public that the operation will be sustained and extended to other parts of the city where illegal garages and related activities are prevalent,” he quoted Giwa as saying.

He urged all vehicle owners and operators to adhere to the state’s traffic regulations and cooperate with authorities to avoid sanctions. He reiterated that the government’s primary objective was to create a better and more livable Lagos for everyone.

He also urged motorists to take ownership of the roads and to promptly inform LASTMA of any broken down or abandoned trailers or trucks via the Agency’s hotlines: 08100565860/ 08129928503.

LASTMA impounds 40 vehicles for operating illegal garages

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Disaster as Lagos flood sweeps away pupil returning from school

Published

21 mins ago

July 3, 2024

Trends Admin

Disaster as Lagos flood sweeps away pupil returning from school

A primary six pupil simply identified as Joshua has been swept away by flood in Ikosi, Ketu area of Lagos State.

The pupil was returning home from school alongside his colleagues when the tragic incident occurred on Taiwo Street in Ikosi, Ketu, Lagos.

Reacting to the tragedy, Joshua’s mother, a fruit seller, wept, pulling her hair and lamented the loss of her only child.

“Joshua died hungry and cold. He was in primary six; he was supposed to write his common entrance exam,” she said.

The mother, who was clearly distraught, revealed that she had lost her home in a fire and was living in a temporary shelter.

She pleaded with the public to help her find her son, promising to do anything to get him back.

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A witness, who is also a youth leader in the area, known as Oloyede, said he saw children in the rain and warned them to be careful because the area.

“But unfortunately, the plank that was used to bridge the canal was completely covered by water, and they fell into the drainage.

“I managed to swim and rescue one of them, but unfortunately, Joshua was swept away by the heavy currents and died,” he said.

A community leader, who spoke off the record, blamed the government for abandoning a project to channel the drainage, leaving the area prone to flooding.

“In January, the government started a project to channel the drainage, but they abandoned it, leaving us with this unfinished project. Every time it rains, the area is filled with water,” he said.

When contacted, Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Nosa Okunbor, said he did not receive any report on the incident.

Efforts to reach the Lagos police spokesperson, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, did not yield result as he did not respond to calls.

Disaster as Lagos flood sweeps away pupil returning from school

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Head of vigilante arrested with human skulls, bones in Rivers

Published

26 mins ago

July 3, 2024

Trends Admin

Head of vigilante arrested with human skulls, bones in Rivers

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested the commander of a local vigilante group with two human skulls and other parts at his hideout in Omoku, headquarters of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of the state.

Felix Nwaobakata, the leader of the local vigilante group was arrested with seven other members of the security outfit for several crimes, including murder in a clampdown on the excesses of vigilante groups operating in the state.

The Spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this in a statement issued in Port Harcourt, on Wednesday, July 3.Iringe-Koko said Nwaobakata, who is the Commander of the ONELGA Security and Peace Advisory Committee codenamed OSPAC was a principal suspect in the murder of two brothers in Idu in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni LGA of the state on May 1, 2024, on the allegations that they were kidnappers.

The statement noted the arrest of Nwaobakata and other OSPAC members followed numerous complaints about their operations in different parts of the state, especially in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LG, saying the operatives of the outfit recently attacked a police division in Omoku and clashed with other security agencies.The statement read, “The Rivers State Police Command has commenced a clampdown on the excesses of vigilante groups operating within the state.“This follows numerous complaints about the operations of the ONELGA Security and Peace Advisory Committee in different parts of the State, predominantly in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA, as well as clashes with other Security Agencies by this Vigilante Group.

“On May 9, 2024, Alhaji Usman Seleh, the Chairman of the Hausa Indigenous Group in ONELGA, reported that OSPAC had abducted a member of his group. He proceeded to report the matter to the police. Consequently, the police invited the ONELGA OSPAC Commander, Felix Nwaobakata, who refused to honour several invitations.

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“Instead, the OSPAC outfit coordinated an attack on the police division in Omoku but the attack was thwarted as the police repelled them.

“Following this development, Tactical Units of the command stormed the ONELGA OSPAC Camp at Omoku and arrested Cheta Benjamin, Joshua Ekwosa, Innocent Ahiakwu, and four others.

“The ONELGA OSPAC Commander, Felix Nwaobakata, was subsequently arrested in his hideout in Omoku on June 17, 2024, where two human skulls and human bones were found in his possession.

“The arrested OSPAC Commander, Felix Nwaobakata, is also a principal suspect in the murder of two brothers, Collins Ugorji (32) and Newman Ugorji (39), of the Idu Community in ONELGA.”

The brothers were said to have been killed on May 1, 2024, by the OSPAC on the allegation that they were kidnappers.

Their motorcycles were reportedly confiscated, and their bodies were taken to the OSPAC secretariat in Omoku.

In another related incident, the state police spokesperson said, “On May 3, 2024, the Youths of Egbeda Community in Emuoha LGA staged a peaceful protest to Lubrik Construction Company at Egbeda, and after being addressed by the Police, they dispersed but were ambushed by a group of OSPAC members led by the Egbeda OSPAC Commander, Friday Ogbuji, who shot and killed the Youth Leader, Innocent Didia.

“The Rivers State Police Command has made further arrests and will continue to investigate these cases and other related ones, which will then be charged to a Court of competent Jurisdiction.

“The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu has advised that any resident who has complaints of assault, extortion, or illegal detention should make a report at the nearest police station.

“The Rivers State Command is committed to carrying out its duty of protecting lives and property. It will not tolerate any act of illegality, excessive use of force, torture, fraudulent conversion of properties, and other varying forms of criminality by the OSPAC or any other vigilante outfit.”

Head of vigilante arrested with human skulls, bones in Rivers

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Updated: One feared dead, seven rescued in Lagos two-storey building collapse

Published

6 hours ago

July 3, 2024

Trends Admin

building collapse (Photo file)

Updated: One feared dead, seven rescued in Lagos two-storey building collapse

A child was feared dead in a two-storey that collapsed Wednesday on Cameroon Street in the Mushin area of Lagos State.

Seven other residents were also rescued from the collapsed building by sympathisers.

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The building collapsed following torrential downpours in many parts of Lagos.

A statement by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA Permanent Secretary, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, said upon arrival of his rescue team at the scene of the incident, it was discovered that the building was newly constructed.

According to him, the seven rescued persons, consisting of three females and four males, have been taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.

The agency also said its rescue team had searched the rubble, confirming that there was no victim underneath the collapsed building.

It added that the area had been cordoned off and that clearing operations were still ongoing in the area as of 12.30pm on Wednesday.