New Post Africa

Category: Cityscope

  • Lagos Fire Service cracks down on safety violations in Amuwo‑Odofin, Badagry Expressway corridor

    Lagos Fire Service cracks down on safety violations in Amuwo‑Odofin, Badagry Expressway corridor

    LAGOS, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 12, 2026 — The Lagos Fire Service has intensified its crackdown on noncompliance with safety regulations to curb rising fire emergencies across the metropolis. The enforcement involves on‑the‑spot checks targeting major industrial hubs.

    Controller General Margaret Abimbola Adeseye led the team to the Amuwo‑Odofin Industrial Layout and the Badagry Expressway corridor, tightening oversight of industrial and commercial sectors. She stressed that the Lagos State Government is adopting a zero‑tolerance approach to negligence, ensuring validity of fire safety documents, insurance cover, preparedness, functionality of firefighting equipment, and proper storage arrangements.

    Adeseye expressed concern over poor compliance in several facilities, citing inadequate storage, poor ventilation, and obstructed gangways as serious risks. While some companies maintained acceptable standards, others fell short. She warned that organisations must cooperate with the agency and implement recommendations or face sanctions.

    The inspection covered diverse businesses, including Bijoux Building Company, Sweet Home Bathroom Limited, and Adems Market. The team also assessed cold rooms at Premium Aquaculture Limited, production lines at PrimaQq Corporation Limited, and facilities at Lacasera Company Plc (Plant 2), Ovas Luxury Doors, and Primlaks Nigeria Group. Reviews included Paramount Frozen Foods Limited, Venus Processing and Packaging Limited, and Best Store.

    In a statement, the agency said detailed audits were conducted across manufacturing and temperature‑controlled environments. Adeseye reiterated that the Service remains focused on safeguarding investments and lives through strict compliance and prevention of avoidable industrial disasters.

  • Oyo Police arrest armed robbery suspects in Ibadan, recover weapons and stolen property

    Oyo Police arrest armed robbery suspects in Ibadan, recover weapons and stolen property

    IBADAN, NIGERIA (NPA) — March 11, 2026 — The Oyo State Police Command has arrested suspected armed robbers and recovered weapons and stolen property during a stop‑and‑search operation in the General Gas area of Akobo, Ibadan.

    One suspect, Abiodun Adeyemi Michael, was intercepted with a Magnum Pump Action gun loaded with six live cartridges, along with numerous mobile phones — including iPhone 17, iPhone 15, iPhone 13, iPhone 8, iPhone XR, iPhone 16 Blue, iPhone 14 Pro Max, Tecno Camon, Tecno CKG, Tecno Spark 20, Tecno CM6, five Redmi phones, and a Samsung Galaxy S10. Other recovered items included a Wi‑Fi device, a power bank, an Oraimo radio, four wristwatches, and ₦130,000 in cash.

    Michael reportedly confessed to participating in a robbery with three accomplices. Two suspects, Olaoluwa Pamole and Ahmed Ismail, were later arrested at Access Hotel in the Sawmill area of Iwo Road, Ibadan. The third suspect, identified as Lamidi, remains at large.

    In a statement on Wednesday, Police Public Relations Officer DSP Ayanlade Olayinka said the suspects admitted involvement in the theft of a Honda car, ash in colour, in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

    Following the arrests, Commissioner of Police Femi Haruna directed that the case be transferred to the Command Monitoring Unit for discreet investigation and prosecution. He also ordered that the fleeing suspect be tracked down and brought to justice.

    Public Advisory: Members of the public are urged to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest police station. Individuals who have recently lost valuables to robbery in the Egbeda and Toll Gate areas are encouraged to visit the Command Monitoring Unit to claim recovered items, subject to verification of ownership.

    The Command reassures residents of their safety and its unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property.

    For Emergencies, Contact:

    • Oyo State Call Response Center Toll‑Free Line: 615
    • Oyo State Police Command Control Room: 08081768614 & 07055495413.
  • Enugu Air soars as Governor Mbah secures Air Operator Certificate

    Enugu Air soars as Governor Mbah secures Air Operator Certificate

    Lagos, Nigeria (NPA) — March 11, 2026 — The Enugu State Governor, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, has announced a breakthrough for the state-owned airline, Enugu Air, as it received its Air Operator Certificate (AOC) from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).

    The certificate was formally presented to Governor Mbah at the Government House, Lion Building, Enugu, by the Commissioner for Transport, Dr Obi Ozor, on March 9, 2026.

    In a statement, Governor Mbah described the milestone as a transformative step for Enugu’s aviation ambitions. “This milestone is more than a regulatory approval; it is a strategic step in our broader vision to transform Enugu into a premier aviation hub in Nigeria and West Africa,” he said. 

    He emphasised that the AOC would enable Enugu Air to expand into new destinations, boost tourism, and stimulate economic growth through job creation and investment.

    Governor Mbah further noted that aviation is central to his administration’s “Tomorrow is Here” agenda, linking transport, commerce, tourism, and logistics to unlock Enugu’s full potential. With the AOC secured, Enugu Air is now positioned to enter Nigeria’s aviation landscape as a reliable carrier connecting the Southeast to key national and international routes.

    Established in July 2025, Enugu Air is Nigeria’s second state-owned airline after Ibom Air. Headquartered at Akanu Ibiam International Airport, the carrier is designed to strengthen regional connectivity and drive economic transformation in the entire Southeast of Nigeria.

  • LAWMA issues compliance notices to popular transport firms over waste disposal

    LAWMA issues compliance notices to popular transport firms over waste disposal

    Lagos, Nigeria (NPA) — March 11, 2026 — The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has issued formal notices of non-compliance to two leading Nigerian transport companies, Young Shall Grow Motors Limited and Chisco Transport, for violations of waste management regulations along Iddo Road, Lagos Mainland. The enforcement action took place on March 9, 2026.

    In a statement released Wednesday, LAWMA confirmed that its Surveillance and Enforcement team conducted monitoring and waste source investigations in the area. During the operation, Young Shall Grow Motors was cited for indiscriminate waste dumping and failure to comply with directives on proper disposal. Similar notices were served to Chisco Transport and occupants within its premises for improper waste handling.

    “LAWMA reiterates its zero-tolerance stance against improper waste disposal and will continue enforcement and monitoring operations across the state to ensure compliance with environmental regulations,” the agency said in its statement.

    LAWMA is the statutory body responsible for regulating, coordinating, and managing solid waste in Lagos State. Its mandate includes overseeing private waste operators, maintaining disposal infrastructure, and promoting recycling initiatives to safeguard public health and ensure a cleaner, more sustainable environment in Nigeria’s most populous city.

  • Breaking: One dead in Lagos trailer accident, traffic gridlock hits Ketu-Ojota

    Breaking: One dead in Lagos trailer accident, traffic gridlock hits Ketu-Ojota

    Lagos, Nigeria (NPA) — March 10, 2026 — The Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA) has reported a road accident in the Ketu area of Lagos, resulting in one casualty and heavy traffic congestion.

    In a statement issued Tuesday, the agency confirmed: “A flatbed trailer loaded with iron suffered a brake failure at Ketu towards Mile 12, resulting in one casualty.”

    LASTMA noted that efforts are underway to remove the trailer and other affected vehicles from the scene, with officials deployed to manage traffic flow.

    As a result of the incident, a significant traffic backlog has built up around Ojota. Motorists heading towards Ikorodu, Ojota, or exiting Ikorodu Road onto the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway have been advised to exercise caution and consider alternative routes to ease the gridlock.

    The agency assured commuters that traffic control measures are fully in place and urged drivers to remain patient while clearance operations continue.

  • Amasiri knows nothing about missing heads, Princess Joy Omagha Idam tells Ebonyi Government

    Amasiri knows nothing about missing heads, Princess Joy Omagha Idam tells Ebonyi Government

    Lagos, Nigeria (NPA) —March 10, 2026 —Princess Joy Omagha Idam, a Nigerian community advocate, publisher of Weekenders Magazine, and former Assistant Secretary of the Federal Capital Territory Council, has raised alarm over governance failures and human rights violations amid the ongoing communal crisis in Amasiri, Ebonyi State, southeast Nigeria. A vocal critic of the alleged military crackdown in the community, Idam has called for urgent intervention to protect civilians and restore accountability.

    Appearing on Arise TV’s Morning Show, as monitored by Newpost Africa, Princess Joy Omagha Idam condemned reported military raids and property destruction in Amasiri, describing them as “clear violations of citizens’ rights.” She argued that the unrest reflects deeper governance and accountability failures rather than being an isolated local disturbance.

    Highlighting the human toll, she noted that families have been displaced, livelihoods disrupted, and communities left in fear. When asked about allegations of missing human heads from the neighbouring Oso (Idima/Ọkpọrọjọ) community, Adamson firmly denied Amasiri’s involvement. “Amasiri does not know anything about any head,” she said. “Soldiers have been in Amasiri. Have they found the heads? Amasiri doesn’t know anything about the killing.”

    She explained that the community was in mourning at the time of the incident, with more than twenty burials taking place, stressing that cultural practices such as not burying in December further complicated the accusations.

    On the Ebonyi State Government’s boundary commission, Idam criticised the process and described it as unworkable. She pointed out that key stakeholders — including members of the Amasiri Development Union executive — remain in detention, while the traditional ruler has been dethroned, leaving the committee without crucial input.

    Regarding Amasiri’s petition before the International Criminal Court, she said there has been “no update yet,” but expressed hope that the case, which raises multiple human rights concerns, would be acted upon.

    Rejecting claims that Amasiri is the aggressor, Idam drew an analogy: “If you own a property in Maitama and some people are encroaching on your land, will you allow them to take what is your heritage?”

    She urged the authorities to prioritise dialogue and transparency over force in resolving the crisis, warning that continued militarisation would only deepen mistrust and prolong suffering.

  • ECOWAS Court pledges to protect women’s rights through effective justice delivery

    ECOWAS Court pledges to protect women’s rights through effective justice delivery

    Lagos, Nigeria (NPA) —March 10, 2026 — The ECOWAS Court of Justice has pledged its commitment to ensuring the protection of the rights of women and girls across the West African sub-region through effective justice delivery.

    President of the Court, Justice Ricardo Gonçalves, made the pledge at the 2026 International Women’s Day celebration organised by the ECOWAS Court’s Women’s Forum on Monday in Abuja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event, which is celebrated on March 8 yearly, was sub-themed: “Break the Silence, End Gender-Based Violence Now.”

    “As we celebrate our women and their invaluable contributions to the achievements of the court, we also reaffirm our collective commitment to delivering justice, advancing the rule of law, ending violence and discrimination, and creating a future where every woman and girl in the ECOWAS region can thrive in safety and dignity.

    “We pledge to continue taking actions through our judgments, our outreach programmes, and our collaborative partnerships with member states and other stakeholders, to be able to build a region where justice and protection of the rights of women and girls is not an aspiration but a lived reality.

    “At the ECOWAS Court of Justice, we recognise that the protection of women and girls’ rights within the ECOWAS space is central to the advancement of justice, upholding human dignity, fostering inclusive development, and strengthening our community,” he said.

    According to him, the event’s sub-theme resonates deeply with the mission of the court and the past strides it has made in advancing the rule of law and protecting fundamental rights across West Africa.

    He said this year’s global theme: “Rights, Justice,  Action For All Women and Girls,” was a reminder that women are both participants in the pursuit and pillars of strength within the court.

    The court’s president said that the giant strides made by the court over the years reflected the court’s unwavering belief that the rights of women and girls must be protected, and justice must serve all without distinction.

    Gonçalves, represented by Mrs Marie Saine, the Court’s Acting Deputy Chief Registrar, stressed that protecting the rights of women and girls within the ECOWAS sub-region was central to justice advancement.

    “Through our jurisprudence, we have upheld fundamental rights of women and girls, challenged discrimination, and provided remedies for victims of sexual and gender-based violence and inequality.

    “These groundbreaking decisions have not only delivered justice to individuals but also set important legal precedents that reinforce the dignity and protection of women and girls throughout the region.

    “They have also contributed to the development of regional human rights jurisprudence, influenced national policies, and triggered cultural and legal reforms,” he said.

    He maintained that justice must be accessible and action must be taken to ensure that every woman and girl in West Africa can live free from discrimination and all forms of gender-based violence and be empowered to contribute fully to society.

    According to him, gender-based violence is not only a violation of human rights, but also a barrier to equality, justice, and sustainable development.

  • Anambra is back: No more Monday sit-at-home — Prof. Soludo

    Anambra is back: No more Monday sit-at-home — Prof. Soludo

    POLITICS (NPA) — March 10, 2026: Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State has declared an end to the long-standing Monday sit-at-home order that disrupted economic and social life in the southeast for nearly five years. The governor expressed delight at the return of normalcy, noting that schools, markets, and offices across the state now operate fully on Mondays.

    The directive, issued last month, mandated schools, markets, and government offices to resume Monday activities, effectively countering the protest linked to the detention of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

    On March 9, Soludo toured ten primary and secondary schools across the state, observing classes in session. “I am very happy, I must say. I have visited ten schools, including private schools. I’m very pleased. The schools are back, the markets are back, and the civil servants are back. The southeast cannot be different from the rest of the world. The southeast is back. Anambra is back, and we are rising,” he said.

    In a statement accompanied by video footage of his visits, the governor celebrated the resilience of teachers and students. “I was excited to see our kids back in class, learning and thriving! No more Monday sit-at-home in Anambra State! To our teachers, you are heroes. Your dedication is inspiring. Pupils, keep soaking up knowledge — the future is yours!”

    Soludo emphasised that the state had moved past excuses, declaring: “It’s time to reclaim our Mondays and build a brighter Anambra.”

    Earlier, the government had temporarily shut down the popular Nnewi Auto Spare Parts Market (Nkwo Nnewi) after traders continued to observe the sit-at-home order despite official directives. The closure, announced by Soludo’s Special Adviser on Trade and Markets, Chief Evarist Uba, took effect on February 23, 2026.

    With schools, markets, and civil service offices now open, the governor’s push appears to have restored confidence and economic activity in Anambra, signalling a turning point in the region’s efforts to move beyond years of disruption.

  • Lagos Police Commissioner welcomes constable screening team, urges integrity and transparency

    Lagos Police Commissioner welcomes constable screening team, urges integrity and transparency

    Lagos, Nigeria (NPA) — March 9, 2026 — The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, today received the team overseeing the credentials and physical screening exercise for successful applicants from Lagos State in the ongoing recruitment of 50,000 police constables nationwide.

    The team, comprising officers of the Nigeria Police Force and personnel from the Police Service Commission, visited the Command Headquarters in Ikeja to brief the Commissioner on progress.

    In a statement, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer SP Abimbola Adebisi said: “During the meeting, the Commissioner of Police charged the team to strictly adhere to the established guidelines and ethos of the screening exercise.”

    “He emphasised the need for the process to be conducted with the highest level of integrity, fairness, and transparency, in order to uphold the credibility of the Police Service Commission, the Nigeria Police Force, and the nation at large.”

    The screening team assured the Commissioner of their readiness and commitment to ensuring due process. 

    The Police team is led by Deputy Commissioner of Police DCP Adebisi Balogun, while the Police Service Commission delegation is headed by Chief Administrative Officer Eleyinmi Akinola. Both teams are working in collaboration with stakeholders including the Federal Character Commission and the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) to guarantee a credible and transparent exercise.

  • Appeal Court upholds conviction of ex-Army General, orders refund of over N4bn

    Appeal Court upholds conviction of ex-Army General, orders refund of over N4bn

    Abuja, Nigeria (Agency Report)— March 9, 2026 — The Court of Appeal has upheld the conviction and sentencing of former Group Managing Director of Nigerian Army Properties Limited (NAPL), Maj.-Gen. Umar Mohammed, for stealing and misappropriating funds belonging to the company.

    In the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the judgment, the appellate court dismissed Mohammed’s appeal challenging the jurisdiction of the Special Court Martial (Nigerian Army) and the validity of its verdict.

    The former senior officer was earlier tried and convicted by the court martial on Oct. 10, 2023, for offences bordering on stealing and criminal misappropriation of funds belonging to Nigerian Army Properties Limited.

    Following the conviction, Mohammed was dismissed from the Nigerian Army, sentenced to imprisonment and ordered to refund 2,099,700 dollars and N1.65 billion to the company.

    Dissatisfied with the ruling, he approached the appellate court on Feb. 12, 2025, in suit No. CA/ABJ/CR/383/2025, arguing that his conviction was not supported by sufficient and credible evidence.

    However, the three-member panel of justices, Abba Mohammed, Okon Abang and Eberechi Nyesom-Wike, dismissed the appeal, ruling that the evidence presented during the court martial clearly established the offences.

    According to the certified judgment issued on Monday, the court held that the Special Court Martial was right to reject the former general’s defence, describing it as inconsistent and unreliable.

    The court noted contradictions in Mohammed’s testimony, particularly his claim that Nigerian Army Properties Limited never operated berthing services, which contradicted documentary records authored by him indicating otherwise.

    The justices ruled that the inconsistencies undermined his credibility.

    The appellate court consequently affirmed the conviction and sentence imposed by the Special Court Martial on all counts except those relating to forgery.

    NAN reports that in August 2025, Justice Dehinde Dipeolu of the Federal High Court in Lagos State also ordered the final forfeiture of shares worth over N5 billion traced to  Mohammed and a businessman, Kayode Filani.

    The order followed an application by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which told the court that the 245,568,137 shares were purchased with proceeds of unlawful activities carried out during Mohammed’s tenure as head of the army’s property company.

    EFCC counsel in the matter, Hanatu Kofanaisa, explained that a Special Court Martial had already convicted Mohammed on 14 out of 18 counts of stealing and related offences.

    She added the commission had met all legal requirements for final forfeiture, including the mandatory newspaper publication, without any objection being filed.

    In granting the application, Justice Dipeolu held that the EFCC had proved its case and ordered the shares permanently forfeited to the Federal Government, in favour of the Nigerian Army Properties Limited.

    The application was brought under Section 44(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution and Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act, 2006. (NAN).