metro
Suspend sale of TBS, lawsuit pending, Lagos tells FG
THE Lagos State Government, yesterday, urged the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, SAN, to advise the Federal Government against selling or granting concession of the Tafawa Balewa Square, TBS, in the Lagos Island area of the state.
Reacting to the Federal Government’s plan to sell TBS and other properties, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State, Moyosore Onigbanjo, in a statement, said the matter is still pending before the Supreme Court.
Onigbanjo, in a statement titled ‘RE: Budget Deficit: Government May Sell TBS, NIPPs, 25 key assets’, urged Malami to stop the move until the suit instituted by the office of the AGF in the Supreme Court is determined.
The statement reads: “The attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to the news report on the front page of a national newspaper, dated October 21, 2022, that the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, is planning to either sell or grant concession in respect of Tafawa Balewa Square situate in Lagos Island, Lagos State.
“The Attorney-General of the Federation, AGF, must be aware that the position of the Federal Government to either sell or concession the Tafawa Balewa Square cannot be valid as the AGF is the Plaintiff in Suit No. SC.508/2012 between Attorney-General of the Federation vs. Attorney-General of Lagos State pending before the Supreme Court wherein the AGF is seeking a declaration that the ownership of the land, building, monuments structures and fixtures better known as Tafawa Balewa Square in the city of Lagos is vested in the Federal Government.
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“The suit is fixed for November 1, 2022, for hearing by the Apex Court.
“Unfortunately, this is the second time the Federal Government and its agencies have taken this position, which is quite contrary to the recognition that there is an existing and pending dispute between the parties about the ownership of the Tafawa Balewa Square and this resulted in the AGF invoking the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to seek resolution of the dispute between the Federal Government and Lagos State Government.
“In response to the Federal Government’s first attempt to circumvent the matter pending at the Supreme Court, on June 17, 2021, the Lagos State Government took out an advertorial in a national newspaper to refute the allegation of the Federal Government and its Agencies to ownership of the Tafawa Balewa Square.
“A copy of the advertorial is attached for ease of reference.
“It is the position of law that once parties have submitted themselves to the jurisdiction of the court they are not to take any action that will affect the subject matter of the Suit and any plan to either sell or concession the Tafawa Balewa Square during the pendency of the Suit before the Supreme Court will violate the principle of lis pendis and such sale or concession is liable to be declared null and void.
“As the Chief Law Officer of the Federation, it is incumbent on your office to advise the Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, and Bureau of Public Enterprises that no such sale or concession in respect of Tafawa Balewa Square is to be embarked upon until the Suit instituted by your office in the Supreme Court is determined.”
Vanguard
metro
Police Debunk Viral Terror Attack Video in Abuja, Arrest Suspect
Police Debunk Viral Terror Attack Video in Abuja, Arrest Suspect
The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed a viral video circulating on social media claiming an ongoing terror attack in Abuja, describing the content as false, misleading, and deliberately designed to incite panic within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In a statement issued on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Anthony Placid, the police said there is no record of any such attack in Abuja, stressing that the claims in the video are completely fabricated and malicious.
The Force explained that preliminary investigations showed the video was constructed using unrelated footage sourced from online platforms and edited to create a false impression of insecurity in the nation’s capital.
According to the police, the aim of the content was to spread fear, disrupt public order, and undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s security system.
The statement emphasized that the circulation of such material amounts to misinformation and fake news in Nigeria, which can trigger unnecessary panic and threaten public safety.
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The police also confirmed the arrest of a suspect identified as Pam Joseph in connection with the creation and distribution of the viral video.
Authorities said the arrest followed credible intelligence and digital forensic analysis that traced the origin and spread of the false content to the suspect.
The suspect is currently in police custody and will be charged to court upon completion of investigations.
The Nigeria Police Force reiterated that while citizens have the right to freedom of expression, such rights do not extend to the deliberate spread of false information capable of endangering public peace and national security.
It urged members of the public to verify security-related information before sharing and to rely only on official communication channels for accurate updates.
The Force further warned that individuals or groups involved in spreading false security alerts online will be tracked and prosecuted under relevant cybercrime laws.
Police authorities assured residents that Abuja remains calm and under tight security surveillance, with routine patrols and intelligence operations ongoing across the city.
They added that the security agencies are fully committed to maintaining law and order and preventing any attempt to create fear or confusion through digital platforms.
The development comes amid growing concern over the spread of unverified security alerts in Nigeria, which authorities say can cause unnecessary tension and disrupt daily life.
Police Debunk Viral Terror Attack Video in Abuja, Arrest Suspect
metro
Gunmen Wipe Out Family of Eight in Fresh Plateau Attack
Gunmen Wipe Out Family of Eight in Fresh Plateau Attack
At least eight people have been killed in a fresh gunmen attack in Plateau State after armed attackers invaded Mbwelle village in Bokkos Local Government Area during a late-night raid.
The incident, which occurred on Thursday around 11pm in Plateau State, saw gunmen storm the community and open fire on residents, leaving several others injured and many still missing.
Victims were largely members of the same family, with the deceased identified as Elder Iliya Mangut Dakus, Mr Luck Titus Dakus, Mr Habila Istifanu Dakus, Mr Hassan Istifanus Dakus, Mrs Hassan Moses Dakus, Biggie Lucky Dakus, Sunday Gideon Dakus, and Mr Innocent Barnabas Makwin.
Confirming the attack, the Chairman of the Community Peace Observers in Bokkos LGA, Kefas Mallai, said the gunmen operated for hours without resistance.
“There was an attack last night at Mbwelle village. So far eight persons have been confirmed dead this morning,” he said.
Mallai added that the attackers moved freely during the operation, firing indiscriminately at residents and escaping before security forces arrived.
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He also alleged a delayed response from security operatives, claiming that residents were left vulnerable despite the proximity of security formations in the area.
According to him, “The attack lasted for several hours with no visible security presence to repel the attackers.”
The development has sparked anger among residents, with reports that some community members were considering protests over what they described as repeated failures to protect rural settlements.
Youth leader Christopher Luka also confirmed the killings, describing the incident as devastating and targeted.
“The gunmen came around 11pm and started shooting sporadically. They targeted one family mostly. Eight people are confirmed dead, some injured, others still missing,” he said.
Three additional victims were reported injured and are currently receiving treatment at undisclosed medical facilities.
As of the time of filing this report, efforts to reach the Nigeria Police Force spokesperson in Plateau State were unsuccessful, while military officials attached to the Joint Task Force said they would provide updates later.
The attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents in Plateau State’s Bokkos and surrounding LGAs, where rural communities have repeatedly come under assault by armed groups.
In recent weeks, neighbouring areas including Barkin Ladi, Riyom, and Jos South have also recorded deadly attacks, further heightening fears across the state.
Community groups have continued to accuse attackers of targeting farming settlements and rural roads, while calling for stronger security presence and improved surveillance across vulnerable corridors.
Security analysts warn that the recurring violence reflects a deepening insecurity crisis in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where communities face frequent night raids, ambushes, and displacement.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing, while additional security deployments are expected in the affected area to prevent further escalation.
Gunmen Wipe Out Family of Eight in Fresh Plateau Attack
metro
Kwara Governor Mourns 5 Forest Guards Killed in Nuku Bandit Attack
Kwara Governor Mourns 5 Forest Guards Killed in Nuku Bandit Attack
The Kwara State Government has condemned the killing of five forest guards in a deadly bandit attack in Kwara State, as Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq expressed grief over the tragic incident and unveiled fresh measures to strengthen security.
The हमला occurred in Nuku community, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, where suspected bandits reportedly launched a coordinated midnight raid on a security outpost around 3:00 a.m., killing five forest guards on duty.
In a statement issued through his Special Adviser on Media, Bashir Adigun, the governor described the slain guards as brave patriots who died defending their communities.
“I received the news with a heavy heart. These men paid the ultimate price while confronting armed assailants. Nothing can truly compensate for their sacrifice,” AbdulRazaq said.
According to local sources, the attackers arrived in large numbers, overwhelmed the guards, and set fire to motorcycles and patrol vehicles at the outpost, leaving critical security assets destroyed.
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The latest bandit attack in Kaiama LGA has heightened fear among residents, especially as it comes barely two months after similar deadly raids on Woro and neighbouring Nuku communities.
Security experts say the increasing frequency of such attacks signals a worrying spread of banditry in North Central Nigeria, with forested areas serving as operational bases for armed groups.
Governor AbdulRazaq commended security agencies for their ongoing efforts but urged them to intensify operations to curb the growing threat.
To tackle the situation, he announced the formation of a Kwara State Security Strategy Committee, comprising retired senior military and security officers tasked with strengthening intelligence gathering and coordinating security responses.
The committee is chaired by retired Major General G.A. Wahab, with members including Major General Yemi Abidoye, Major General Abubakar Ndalolo, Rear Admiral Aliyu Lawal, Air Commodore A.S.A. Buhari, Assistant Inspector-General of Police Aderemi Opadokun, and Lieutenant Colonel W.A. Lawal. Shuaib Abdulganiyu will serve as secretary.
The governor said the committee would immediately begin deliberations on practical strategies to address insecurity, particularly in rural and vulnerable communities.
He also assured that the state government would support the families of the deceased guards and work closely with federal security agencies to prevent further attacks.
“Our sincere condolences go to the families and communities of the forest guards. They will forever remain our heroes,” he added.
Authorities have reportedly deployed additional security personnel to the affected area, while investigations are ongoing to track down those responsible for the killings.
The incident underscores growing concerns over insecurity in Kwara State, as residents continue to call for stronger protection and proactive security measures.
Kwara Governor Mourns 5 Forest Guards Killed in Nuku Bandit Attack
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