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Makoko Crisis: Falana Condemns Forced Evictions, Warns Lagos Govt

Published

4 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Makoko Crisis: Falana Condemns Forced Evictions, Warns Lagos Govt

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has warned that the Lagos State Government lacks the legal authority to seize Makoko and other waterfront communities, describing ongoing demolitions as unlawful and a violation of fundamental rights.

Speaking at a press conference in Lagos organised by the Coalition Against Demolition, Forced Eviction, Landgrabbing and Displacement, Falana condemned what he called illegal demolitions in Lagos and the displacement of vulnerable residents for elite-driven development.

He stressed that the right to housing in Nigeria is protected under the Constitution and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, insisting that no government has the power to arbitrarily render citizens homeless.

Falana explained that even where land is acquired for genuine public purposes, authorities must follow due process by engaging affected communities, issuing proper notice, paying adequate compensation, and providing alternative accommodation to prevent displacement.

Coalition Demands Justice For Eviction Victims

Citing rulings from the Lagos State High Court, Federal High Court of Nigeria and the ECOWAS Court of Justice, he noted that courts have consistently held that forced eviction in Lagos without consultation and resettlement is illegal.

He alleged that some demolition exercises were carried out at night while residents were asleep, with reports of security operatives using tear gas to disperse occupants. He added that homes, schools and medical facilities were destroyed, worsening the humanitarian situation and forcing many children out of school.

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Falana also referenced the Land Use Act, stating that the government cannot lawfully take land from one group and transfer it to another for private benefit. He insisted that any attempt to seize Makoko and similar communities for luxury development is illegal.

The coalition backing Makoko residents rejected plans to relocate them to Agbowa, insisting that communities should instead be included in development initiatives such as the UN-supported Water Cities Project. It also accused authorities of sidelining legal representatives and civil society groups while offering only token compensation to a few victims.

According to the group, thousands of residents displaced from communities such as Oworonshoki and Otumara are now living in hardship, many in makeshift shelters, while cleared lands are being converted into high-end developments.

Also speaking, Megan Chapman of Justice and Empowerment Initiatives highlighted longstanding cases of displacement, including the 2008 eviction of residents from Kura community at Bar Beach for the development of Eko Atlantic.

She noted that despite securing favourable judgments at the ECOWAS Court, affected communities are yet to receive compensation, describing the situation as justice delayed and denied.

Chapman also pointed to the eviction of residents from Otodo-Gbame in 2016 and 2017, despite court orders restraining the action and directing resettlement. Many of those displaced, she said, have since faced repeated evictions, with some now forced to live in boats.

The coalition called on Nigerians and the international community to speak out against landgrabbing in Lagos and demand justice for affected communities, vowing to continue resisting forced displacement and violations of human rights.

Makoko Crisis: Falana Condemns Forced Evictions, Warns Lagos Govt

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Police Bust Robbery Syndicate Using Tricycles, Arrest Six in Ibadan Hotel Raid

Published

1 hour ago

March 25, 2026

Trends Admin

Oyo State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka

Police Bust Robbery Syndicate Using Tricycles, Arrest Six in Ibadan Hotel Raid

The Oyo State Police Command has uncovered and dismantled a suspected robbery syndicate that reportedly used tricycles to dispossess unsuspecting members of the public of their valuables across Ibadan metropolis, arresting six suspects during a coordinated hotel raid.

According to a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olayinka Ayanlade, operatives of the Command Monitoring Unit acted on credible intelligence that led them to a hotel located in the 7UP/Academy area of Ibadan, where the suspects were allegedly hiding.

The police spokesperson explained that the operation was swift and intelligence-driven, resulting in the arrest of five male suspects and one female suspect. The suspects have been identified as Kelvin Daniel (21), Idris Ramon (25), Christopher Solomon (35), Mohamed Telim (21), Taored Aderibigbe (30), and Adekunle Tolani (27), the only female among them.

Ayanlade said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were part of a criminal network that specialised in using tricycles—commonly used for commercial transport—to carry out robberies by blending in with regular operators and targeting unsuspecting passengers and pedestrians.

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Items recovered from the suspects include 18 mobile phones of different brands, one Opay ATM card, and one National Identification Number (NIN) card. Authorities also recovered a tricycle with registration number OYO SHK 508 QP, which was allegedly used as the operational vehicle by the syndicate.

The police noted that the recovery of multiple mobile devices and identification materials suggests a pattern of repeated criminal activity, and investigations are ongoing to trace the owners of the recovered items and identify additional victims linked to the gang’s operations.

Ayanlade added that during interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to being members of a robbery syndicate that had been terrorising residents within Ibadan and surrounding areas. The confession, alongside the recovered exhibits, is expected to form part of the evidence to be presented in court.

The command commended members of the public for their role in providing timely and credible intelligence, describing community cooperation as a critical factor in the success of the operation. It reiterated that effective policing relies heavily on collaboration between security agencies and residents.

Authorities further urged residents across Oyo State to remain vigilant and continue sharing useful information that can aid in preventing and detecting crimes. The police assured that all suspects will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The Command reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining law and order across the state, emphasizing that intelligence-led policing operations will be sustained to curb criminal activities and enhance public safety in urban and rural communities.

Police Bust Robbery Syndicate Using Tricycles, Arrest Six in Ibadan Hotel Raid

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Sango Tollgate: Ogun Bans Street Trading, Demolishes Shanties Over Safety Concerns

Published

2 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Trends Admin

Sango Tollgate: Ogun Bans Street Trading, Demolishes Shanties Over Safety Concerns

The Ogun State Government has intensified its crackdown on street trading around the Sango Tollgate axis, demolishing shanties and temporary structures along the Ogun–Lagos border in a move aimed at reducing accidents, improving traffic flow, and enhancing public safety.

The enforcement exercise, carried out on Tuesday, specifically targeted illegal structures erected on road setbacks and beneath the bridge—areas officials say have become hotspots for traffic obstruction, environmental hazards, and avoidable fatalities.

Leading the operation, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Kafayat Lawal, explained that the action followed repeated warnings issued to traders occupying the affected locations. She said the government had provided an alternative trading space at Plaza Road in Sango to accommodate displaced traders and ensure continuity of legitimate commercial activities.

According to her, the decision to clear the area was driven by the need to prevent further loss of lives and injuries linked to street trading around the busy tollgate corridor. The Sango Tollgate axis, a major link between Lagos and Ogun States, experiences heavy vehicular and pedestrian movement daily, making unregulated trading activities particularly risky.

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Lawal emphasized that street trading under bridges and along road setbacks often exposes traders and commuters to dangers, including road accidents and emergency situations where escape routes are obstructed. She noted that the government could no longer allow such practices to persist given the associated safety concerns.

She further warned that the enforcement would be sustained, adding that anyone who returns to trade at the tollgate or under the bridge would face legal consequences in line with state regulations. Authorities also indicated that monitoring and compliance checks would continue to prevent a resurgence of illegal structures in the area.

The state government reiterated that the clearance exercise is part of its broader urban management and environmental sanitation strategy, which aims to decongest public spaces, enforce planning laws, and protect lives and property. Officials maintain that while economic activities are important, they must be conducted within designated and safe environments.

Reactions from residents and commuters have been mixed, with some praising the government for addressing long-standing safety concerns, while others called for sustained engagement and support for traders to help them transition smoothly to approved markets.

Sango Tollgate: Ogun Bans Street Trading, Demolishes Shanties Over Safety Concerns

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FG Apologises Over Nationwide Blackouts, Promises Improvement Within Two Weeks

Published

2 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Trends Admin

Minister of Power, Adebayo Adekola Adelabu

Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu

FG Apologises Over Nationwide Blackouts, Promises Improvement Within Two Weeks

Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, has issued a public apology to Nigerians over the prolonged and severe electricity outages affecting various parts of the country, acknowledging the hardship faced by households, businesses, and critical sectors of the economy.

Speaking at a press briefing in Abuja, Adelabu admitted that the ongoing poor power supply has worsened living conditions, especially during the intense dry-season heat. He noted that the situation has disrupted daily activities across schools, industries, and commercial centres nationwide.

“I want to apologise to Nigerians… for this temporary issue that is leading to hardship being experienced,” the minister said, explaining that the challenges were due to factors largely beyond the immediate control of the government.

Adelabu attributed the electricity shortages largely to disruptions in gas supply to thermal power plants, which form the backbone of Nigeria’s power generation system. He also pointed to ongoing maintenance of gas pipelines and operational challenges affecting supply to generation companies. Nigeria relies heavily on gas-fired plants for electricity production, making the sector vulnerable to fluctuations in gas availability. According to the minister, repairs are currently ongoing on critical gas infrastructure, including facilities linked to operators such as Seplat Energy.

The minister further explained that the government has established a committee to monitor compliance with domestic gas supply obligations, ensuring that producers prioritise electricity generation needs. He added that improved coordination with gas suppliers is essential to restoring consistent supply to power plants and stabilising the national grid.

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Adelabu assured Nigerians that the situation would begin to improve within a short timeframe, citing coordinated interventions by the government and stakeholders in the energy sector. He stated that with the committee in place and commitments from gas suppliers, the country should begin to see noticeable improvements in electricity supply within two weeks.

He explained that the government is working closely with gas producers, regulators, and power generation companies to stabilise supply and restore more consistent electricity delivery across the national grid.

The minister acknowledged that Nigeria’s power sector challenges extend beyond gas supply, highlighting structural issues across generation, transmission, and distribution. These include ageing infrastructure, financial constraints, and inefficiencies within distribution networks that continue to affect overall performance.

Despite these challenges, Adelabu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to reforms aimed at improving electricity reliability. He said efforts are ongoing to increase power generation capacity, strengthen the transmission network, and enhance distribution efficiency across the country.

“We are working on it 24/7… Power generation will improve, transmission will improve, distribution will improve,” he said, describing the current situation as a temporary setback within a broader reform agenda.

The persistent blackouts in Nigeria have forced many businesses to rely on costly alternatives such as generators and solar systems, increasing operational expenses and affecting productivity. Households have also been impacted, with many struggling to cope with inconsistent grid supply.

Adelabu acknowledged these difficulties and assured citizens that the current crisis is being treated as a priority. He expressed confidence that ongoing interventions across the gas supply chain, transmission upgrades, and regulatory improvements will gradually restore stability to the power sector in the coming weeks.

FG Apologises Over Nationwide Blackouts, Promises Improvement Within Two Weeks