News
Return to Lagos roads, Sanwo-Olu begs police
- Says, we feel your absence
- Unfolds new welfare package, modern police stations, life insurance
Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has pleaded with the police to return to the roads to restore sanity to the nation’s economic capital’s highways, saying Lagosians feel the absence of the police.
Many people have in the last few days been continuously trapped in gridlock for hours as traffic police and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority officers stay away from major traffic points, either for fear of being attacked by hoodlums or protesting the killing of some of their colleagues and burning of a number of their police stations during last week’s unrest that followed the #EndSARS protest.
While the gridlock persists, some transport union members and other volunteer battle to free the roads of the heavy traffic.
And to encourage the police to return, Governor Sanwo-Olu has unveiled a new welfare package that will engender a lease of life for serving police and families of the recently killed cops while on duty.
He said the new welfare package including a life insurance cover, modern working environment and health facilities would serve as a morale booster for those still in service and stressed that their absence on the Lagos roads was felt.
The governor said all policemen killed in the violence resulting from the nationwide protests against police brutality will not die in vain, adding that their children would be given scholarship awards to ensure that they would not suffer unduly as a result of the demise of their fathers.
Sanwo-Olu has therefore directed the Lagos State Scholarship Board to award scholarships to the children to the university level.
Twenty-nine Divisional Police Stations and 17 police posts were razed by hoodlums, who disguised as protesters.
Also, six police officers were lynched, 36 critically injured, while 71 police operational vehicles were torched.
The governor made the offer when he visited the Lagos Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja.
He said the state government would also be compensating family members of the officers killed in the violence and take care of the burial arrangement of the slain officers, adding that the state would be picking up the hospital bills of those injured in the mayhem.
He said the measures were meant to boost the morale of officers, following the demoralising events of the past week in which police officers and their stations were targeted by hoodlums.
Sanwo-Olu said the statutory duties of the police could not be wished away because of the actions of a few bad eggs.
He said the state must put the event of the past week behind it and move on to restore peace.
To achieve this, police officers, he said, must regain their confidence.
He said “Commissioner of Police has come forward with a number of requests, which we will need to address to boost the morale of officers after last week’s event. As your governor, I have come here to take full responsibility for the loss you have suffered in terms of logistics. From tomorrow (Thursday), we will start implementing these requests.
“Through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), we will be replacing the police operational vehicles burnt in the violence. We have a bigger plan for all the police stations burnt down. We will look for the funds and build befitting stations that will set the standard of what police stations should be.
“The most important request is to offer scholarship to the children of officers that died. I have directed the Lagos State Scholarship Board under the Special Adviser on Education to immediately award scholarship to the children of the slain officers.”
The governor directed the Executive Secretary of LSSTF, Dr Rasaq Balogun, to establish the modality with the police leadership in the state.
The governor also approved the request to upgrade Police Cottage Hospital in Ikeja, directing the Commissioner for Health to inspect the facility for the required upgrade.
In addition to donating two 150KVa generating sets to the police, Sanwo-Olu said the command headquarters would be connected to the state’s Independent Power Project (IPP) for constant power supply.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, said the manner with which the slain officers were murdered brought down morale in the command.
He said the police officers remained committed to their statutory responsibilities, thanking the governor for approving their requests.
The governor’s gesture, the police boss said, would restore confidence in the state’s police workforce.
Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police in charge of Research and Planning, Leye Oyebade, said the police took away valuable lessons from the EndSARS protest, noting that there was no better time to fully implement the community policing than now.
He said the protest had ended and it was time for the police to win back citizens’ confidence and trust.
“As police officers, we must now go back to the drawing board and cultivate the goodwill of the communities in which we operate. I’m particularly charging divisional police headquarters to devise strategies tailored toward your local realities and employ digital tools,” he said.
News
Tinubu’s Emergency Declaration Gets Supreme Court Backing in Landmark Judgment
Tinubu’s Emergency Declaration Gets Supreme Court Backing in Landmark Judgment
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has affirmed the constitutional authority of the President to declare a state of emergency in any state to prevent a breakdown of law and order or a slide into chaos and anarchy, ruling that such powers may include the temporary suspension of elected state officials.
In a split six-to-one judgment delivered on Monday, the apex court held that the President can take extraordinary measures during emergency rule, provided such actions are limited in duration and aimed at restoring normalcy.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Mohammed Idris said Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) empowers the President to act decisively when national security or public safety is threatened. He noted that the Constitution does not expressly define the scope of “extraordinary measures,” thereby granting the President discretion on how to respond to emergency situations.
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The ruling followed a suit filed by Adamawa State and 10 other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led states, which challenged the legality of the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State, where elected officials were suspended for six months.
Justice Idris upheld preliminary objections raised by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and the National Assembly, ruling that the plaintiff states failed to establish a valid cause of action capable of invoking the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction. The suit was consequently struck out for lack of jurisdiction, while the substantive claims were also dismissed.
However, the decision was not unanimous. In a dissenting judgment, Justice Obande Ogbuinya held that although the President has the power to declare a state of emergency, such authority does not extend to suspending elected officials, including governors, deputy governors and members of state assemblies.
The judgment has far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s democracy, clarifying the scope of presidential emergency powers and setting judicial boundaries on federal intervention during periods of severe insecurity or governance breakdown.
Tinubu’s Emergency Declaration Gets Supreme Court Backing in Landmark Judgment
News
Detained NAF aircraft, 11 soldiers not released yet – Foreign Minister
Detained NAF aircraft, 11 soldiers not released yet – Foreign Minister
- Diplomatic talks drag
A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) C-130 aircraft and 11 soldiers detained in a foreign country are yet to be released, despite ongoing diplomatic engagements by the Federal Government.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed on Sunday that discussions with the authorities of the country involved are still in progress, but have not yielded the release of the aircraft and the military personnel.
Speaking on the development, the ministry’s spokesperson, Mr. Kimiebi Ebienfa, said the Federal Government remains actively engaged in diplomatic talks aimed at resolving the situation.
“We are engaging them, but they are yet to be released,” Ebienfa said.
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He explained that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken over the negotiations to ensure the safe return of both the detained aircraft and the Nigerian soldiers, following initial efforts by relevant security agencies.
While official details surrounding the circumstances of the detention remain undisclosed due to the sensitive nature of the talks, the incident has drawn attention because of the strategic importance of the C-130 aircraft, which is commonly used for military logistics, peace support operations, and humanitarian missions.
Sources within diplomatic circles said the government is pursuing a peaceful and diplomatic resolution to the matter, even as concerns grow over the prolonged detention of the aircraft and personnel.
The ministry assured that efforts are ongoing and that Nigeria is committed to securing the release of its military assets and personnel through diplomatic channels, with further updates expected as negotiations continue.
Detained NAF aircraft, 11 soldiers not released yet – Foreign Minister
News
Christian Killings: US Prepares Security Strategy to Tackle Terrorism in Nigeria
Christian Killings: US Prepares Security Strategy to Tackle Terrorism in Nigeria
The United States Government is close to establishing a strategic security framework with Nigeria to address the country’s escalating security challenges, including the activities of Boko Haram, ISWAP, and the alleged killings of Christians in parts of the country.
This was disclosed on Saturday by Riley Moore, head of the United States congressional delegation on a fact-finding mission to Nigeria, during an interview on Fox News. The delegation was in the country to examine allegations of Christian genocide in Nigeria.
Moore described his visit as deeply distressing, recounting emotional encounters with victims of violence. He said he met a woman who watched all five of her children murdered, while another lost her husband, two daughters and her unborn child during attacks.
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According to Moore, discussions held with the Nigerian government were encouraging, noting that both sides are nearing agreement on a security cooperation framework to confront the ISIS and Boko Haram insurgency in North-East Nigeria, as well as violent attacks in the Middle Belt.
He said the framework is expected to outline actionable steps for collaboration between Washington and Abuja in tackling terrorism, improving intelligence sharing and strengthening security operations.
Moore added that the findings of the delegation would be compiled in a report to be submitted to President Donald Trump, detailing proposed measures to work with Nigeria in ending what he described as the continued killing of Christians in Nigeria.
The development signals renewed US–Nigeria security cooperation amid growing international concern over insecurity, terrorism and sectarian violence across the country.
Christian Killings: US Prepares Security Strategy to Tackle Terrorism in Nigeria
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