Lagos State

By Saifullahi Attahir

The desperation to fail President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by some politicians and their consistent attempt to recruit others into believing their rhetoric will always be an anticipated issue in the realm of politics, but whenever myopic outlooks like sectarianism, blame games, and regionalism are used, that’s what irritates my conscience into responding at the expense of whatever others may label me. What I believe is to stand for what I think is right, even if I have to stand alone.

The level of those campaigns was to the extent that you can’t say anything good about the Tinubu government without being portrayed as anti-North or even a heretic. This is preposterous!

Politics should not be built on emotions, and governance should not be like inheritance, where no matter who it is, if they’re not your kinsmen, all is not well. This is not the original personality of a typical Northerner. 

I’m not a party card-carrying member but an ordinary student, so I have the liberty to express my views based on my limited understanding. I would like to address the issue of labelling every project undertaken by President Tinubu as nepotistic, especially when it is situated in the South-West. 

Let me give an example with the recent trip President Tinubu led to the United Kingdom, where he secured a deal to revamp the Tin Can and Apapa ports in Lagos. Sealing a deal to revamp Tin Can and Apapa ports should be viewed with such an open mind as a national investment. Lagos would remain the economic bloodline of this country for the time being, hence supporting its economic growth. 

Among the notable achievements of even the most pro-Arewa leaders, like the late Gen. Murtala Ramat Muhammad, during his short stint, was the decongestion of the Lagos Apapa port led by the famous brig. Benjamin Adekunle (The Scorpion).  

I’m not promoting the idea of continuing channelling of funds to develop Lagos at the expense of other regions, but it would be absurd when overnight we heard the FG seal a deal to start importing goods through Niger-Maradi or the Lake Chad basin or create artificial ports in the North linking us to the transatlantic trade (it’s possible, but not overnight like in Libya or the UAE).

The North should have focused more on ensuring that fighting illiteracy included at least a mandatory universal secondary school education with skills. The ‘right education’ would solve 60% of all this menace. 

An enlightened self would not be used as a tool to create and perpetuate insecurity in the form of banditry and suicide bombings. An ignited mind wouldn’t be fertile ground for sectarian conflicts. You can’t woo an educated person into choosing a leader whose focus is to distribute spaghetti.

We should accept the fact that the North is a landlocked region. We are surrounded by Niger, Cameroon, and Chad. We have our own priorities that, if well executed, can boost the regional economy. Comparing ourselves to Lagos wouldn’t help matters. Lagos was an island inhabited by whites centuries ago. It was the former national capital for almost thirty years and home to almost all the country’s major industries. 

As to the second part of the rhetoric, which was also the ultimate agenda, to wrest power from President Tinubu and hand it over to another ‘Arewa politician’. Governance returning to Arewa would never be our solution. This was tried in 2015 by removing Jonathan through every possible means, only to regret a similar decision less than 4 years later.

A bitter truth to swallow was that, since our return to democracy in 1999, leaders from the South-West have proved to contribute more to issues of national development. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s 8 years would always be remembered for bringing a near-normal political stability to the country, improved national security, an improved economy, the cancellation of national debt, improved foreign relationships, the introduction of several empowerment programmes, the introduction/subsidisation of telecommunications, and a decisive leadership unparalleled when compared to late President Buhari’s 8 years of bewilderment.

It’s not about Tinubu prioritising Lagos and intentionally killing Arewa. The seed of sustainable national development was sown long ago, when Awolowo’s Action Group was fighting for universal education and ideological politics in their region, while our NPC was busy seeking alliances to dominate the Parliament. It’s better to hold our governors more responsible instead of the federal government.

Between 2007 and 2015, the Southwest Governors (Aregbesola, Fashola, Mimiko, Adams Oshiomhole, etc.) used their opposition to create massive developmental programmes for their region, consolidate power around the leading opposition figure, Tinubu, and enhance their regional security, while we were busy trying to wrest power from Jonathan.

To the question of ‘Arewa-2027′, who should be the candidate? The inconsistent Baba Atiku, or politicians renowned for vengeance politics, or those lacking an accommodating mind for others to win national elections, or politicians without international exposure? Tinubu is not the ideal for Nigeria, but the aforementioned politicians are no match for his governance track record as governor and, 2 years into the presidency, as president.

The current insecurity menace is a testament to how one man is incapable of addressing it. Many among the top security brass are from the North: the NSA, the Federal and State Ministers of Defence. In a region with the highest illiteracy rate, things worse than this could happen. Spaghetti and religious affiliation can woo the masses to vote for a candidate.

We should focus better on finding the RIGHT MAN rather than on which part of the country he came from.

Saifullahi Attahir is the President of the National Association of Jigawa State Medical Students (NAJIMS) National Body. He wrote this piece from the Rasheed Shekoni Federal University Teaching Hospital, Dutse, via saifullahiattahir93@gmail.com.

By Muhammad Abubakar

British/Nigerian-born professional boxer Anthony Joshua has survived a fatal road accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway that claimed two lives.

The accident occurred on Monday along the Shagamu Interchange axis of the busy expressway. Confirming the incident, Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotosho, said the crash involved multiple vehicles, resulting in the deaths of two persons at the scene.

Joshua was reportedly involved in the accident but escaped unhurt. Details surrounding the circumstances of the crash and the identities of the victims were yet to be fully disclosed as of press time.

Emergency responders were said to have arrived promptly, while traffic was temporarily disrupted as authorities cleared the scene and commenced investigations into the cause of the accident.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday celebrated the second anniversary of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit Blue Line, highlighting its achievements and unveiling a special fare reduction.

According to the governor, the Blue Line has carried more than five million passengers safely in the past two years, without recording a single accident. He noted that trains now operate every 10 minutes, completing over 90 trips daily and easing travel across the state.

To mark the milestone, Sanwo-Olu announced a 50 per cent cut in fares on the Blue Line for Thursday, September 4, 2025, encouraging Lagosians who have not yet experienced the service to do so.

He expressed gratitude for the support and trust of residents, stressing that the success of the project reflects collective belief in “a greater Lagos.”

“Our journey is far from over,” the governor said. “Step by step, we are creating the Lagos we all desire—safer, faster, and easier to move around.”

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has raided an 80-room hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos, recovering illicit drugs valued at over one billion naira.

During the operation conducted between Friday, April 25 and Saturday, April 26, 2025, operatives combed through The Hook Hotel, also known as Caesar Hotel and Caesar Lounge, located at 16 Waziri Ibrahim Street, off Elsie Femi Pearse Street, Victoria Island. 

The operatives also recovered 589 bags of Canadian Loud — a potent strain of cannabis — weighing a total of 417.3 kilograms and valued at ₦1,042,500,000 in street price.

Three suspects — Eze Ayitu, Ofuokwu Samuel, and Emmanuel Ameh — were arrested during the operation, while two others, identified as Noble Philip and his partner Kenneth, are currently at large.

Items suspected to be proceeds from the drug trade, including five vehicles (Toyota Prado, Land Cruiser, Jeep, Toyota Sienna, Volkswagen Delivery Van, Kia Cerato, and a Grand Caravan Dodge), 74 new TV sets, 10 used TVs, and 13 refrigerators, were also recovered from the premises.

The chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) commended the operatives for the successful operation and urged them to sustain the momentum in the ongoing War Against Drug Abuse (WADA).

By Abdulhakeem Yetu Zakari

Police officers are sworn to protect, yet too often they become the very predators that citizens fear. The recent case of police extortion at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, highlighted by an editorial in the Nigerian Tribune on Friday, March 14, 2025, is just one of many disturbing examples.

A traveler, on his way out of the country, found himself at the mercy of uniformed officers who accused him of internet fraud merely because they discovered a love letter on his phone. What should have been a routine encounter quickly escalated into an ordeal—one that concluded with him being extorted of ₦260,000 through a POS transaction. 

The money was sent to an account linked to a suspect, a method that has become all too common in these shakedown operations. This brazen misconduct is more than just a stain on the reputation of the Nigerian police; it is a cancer eating deep into the fabric of society. 

When those responsible for law enforcement become the enforcers of lawlessness, to whom do citizens turn? Police extortion in Nigeria has evolved from sporadic bribes into a well-organized criminal enterprise embedded within the force. Officers who should be defending the rights of the people now act like rogue agents, preying on innocent citizens. 

The danger of this menace extends beyond financial loss—it breeds fear and resentment and erodes trust in the justice system. For many Nigerians, the fear of encountering police officers has surpassed the fear of encountering criminals. When citizens approach a police checkpoint, they are not concerned about security but about how much money they might have to part with to evade harassment, intimidation, or even arbitrary detention. 

Those who resist are often brutalised, falsely accused of crimes, or threatened with trumped-up charges. Some do not make it out alive. Every incident of extortion further damages the already fragile relationship between the police and the public. Citizens who are supposed to rely on law enforcement for protection now view officers with suspicion and fear. 

This loss of trust has far-reaching consequences—not just for individuals but for national security. When the public distrusts the police, cooperation in fighting actual crime diminishes. People become reluctant to report crimes, knowing that the very officers they turn to may exploit or even implicate them falsely. 

This weakens overall law enforcement efforts and emboldens actual criminals. On the international stage, these acts of extortion paint Nigeria as a nation where corruption is deeply entrenched. Foreign travellers and investors hear stories of police preying on citizens, and it raises concerns about safety, governance, and the rule of law. 

Who would want to visit or invest in a country where law enforcement officers act like criminals? I do not speak as an outsider to this reality—I, too, have been a victim. In December 2024, in Ajaokuta, Kogi State, my friend and I stepped out to buy something from a nearby store. Suddenly, police officers appeared and singled out my friend, accusing him of an unspecified crime. 

They found nothing incriminating, yet they threatened him and demanded a “bail” fee—right there on the roadside. No station, no paperwork, just a blatant extortion scheme. Having heard too many similar stories, I knew better than to linger. I ran. Because in Nigeria, when the police grab you, guilt or innocence does not matter. What matters is how much money they can extract before letting you go.

This is the harsh reality that many Nigerians face daily. Whether traveling abroad or simply walking down the street, citizens are easy targets for extortion. The very people meant to ensure safety have transformed into predators, shaking down those they vowed to protect. This must stop. 

I urge the relevant authorities to impose strict penalties on officers who misuse their power. There should be an independent complaints system where victims of police extortion can safely report cases without fear of retaliation. Surveillance and monitoring systems must be implemented, especially at known extortion hotspots such as airports and major highways.

If decisive action is not taken, police extortion will continue to thrive, deepening the distrust between the people and law enforcement. The Nigerian police force still has an opportunity to redeem itself, but it must act swiftly and decisively to purge corrupt elements from its ranks. If the police are no longer our protectors, then who will save us from them?

Abdulhakeem Yetu Zakari is interning at PRNigeria and can be reached at: abdulhakeemzakari7@gmail.com.

By Hadiza Abdulkadir

A delegation led by Hon. Ibrahim Namadi, the state’s Commissioner of Transportation, recently embarked on a fact-finding mission to Lagos State. This initiative, endorsed by His Excellency Gov. Abba K. Yusuf, aims to learn from Lagos’s notable achievements in transportation.

The delegation comprised several key officials, including Hon. Aliyu Isa (Permanent Secretary), Bashir Ado Gaya (Director of Admin and General Services, Ministry of Transportation), Dr. Nura Ibrahim Hassan (Technical Advisor for Transport Policy and Planning), and Najeeb Mahmoud Abdussalam (Transport Specialist Consultant).

The team toured prominent facilities, including the Ikeja Bus Terminal, the Red Line Ikeja Station, and the Blue Line, to gain insights into their operations and management.

During the visit, Hon. Namadi praised Lagos State for its exemplary transportation system and expressed a strong desire to replicate similar successes in Kano, particularly through the establishment of a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system.

Hon. Namadi emphasised the importance of collaboration and pledged to work closely with the Lagos State government and the Lagos State Transport Management Authority (LAMATA) to achieve this ambitious goal.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of a soldier who was involved in an accident at the Myhoung barracks in the Yaba area of Lagos state.

At least 20 soldiers were seriously injured after a driver rammed his vehicle into them during a drill session earlier today.

Providing an update on the incident, Olabisi Ayeni, acting deputy director of army public relations, 81 Division, confirmed that the accident resulted in the death of a soldier, with others sustaining various degrees of injuries.

Ayeni said that the deceased has been deposited in the mortuary, while the injured are currently receiving medical care at 68 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital Yaba.

He added that the military police from the division and other relevant security agencies are conducting a “thorough” investigation into the circumstances that led to this incident.

“The General Officer Commanding 81 Division NA, Major General Farouk Mijinyawa, expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the deceased soldier while praying for the speedy recovery of the wounded,” the statement reads.

“The GOC also called for calm among the public as investigation into the sad occurrence has commenced.

“The Division remains steadfast in its commitment to training and readiness to discharge its duties despite this devastating event.

“Furthermore, this tragic loss will not deter the Division’s dedication to safeguarding the lives and properties within its area of operations in accordance with the NA’s constitutional mandate.”

By Uzair Adam 

The Lagos State Police Command has exposed a new kidnapping tactic referred to as “Constructive Kidnapping,” where unsuspecting women are deceived by individuals posing as online friends or lovers.  

The Daily Reality gathered that this disturbing trend has led to the rescue of 16 women across the state. 

Additionally, the command intervened in a separate incident involving a 15-year-old girl who allegedly conspired with her boyfriend to fake her own abduction to extort ransom from her parents.  

Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olawale Ishola, provided insights into these cases during a briefing on the command’s operations between September 2024 and January 2025. 

He highlighted the cunning nature of the perpetrators, who establish trust online before luring their victims to Lagos with offers of money and luxury accommodations.  

The command reiterated its commitment to combating such crimes and advised the public to exercise caution when interacting with strangers online.

By Zayyad I. Muhammad

Taxation is not merely a tool for generating revenue; it is a cornerstone for fostering national balance and ensuring the collective survival of all citizens. Recognizing this, with wisdom, Nigeria has exempted many essential goods and services such as agricultural produce, fertilizers, certain baby products, and healthcare items from taxation or VAT. This policy ensures that food items like rice, maize, sorghum, millet, beans, and meat—produced in states like Kano, Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, etc —can reach markets in Enugu, Lagos, and Port Harcourt, where they are accessible to Nigerians at reasonable prices.

Conversely, products such as fertilizers, agricultural machinery, baby items, and healthcare essentials manufactured in industrial hubs like Aba, Ibadan, Warri, and Lagos, etc., remain affordable across the country, including the northern states, because they are VAT-exempt. This interconnected economic framework fosters interdependence among states and promotes equitable access to essential goods, irrespective of geographic location.

However, the current discourse surrounding the proposed tax reform bill, particularly its provisions on VAT, has raised concerns about fairness and equity. Rather than serving as a unifying mechanism, the proposed VAT contributions and their sharing formula have become a source of tension, with some Nigerians—especially from the North—perceiving the system as skewed in favour of economically dominant states like Lagos. This perception has fueled suspicions, leading to terms like “Lagos colonialism” being used to describe the perceived imbalance in resource allocation and benefit distribution in the new VAT bill if passed into law by two chambers of the National Assembly 

To address these concerns, the tax reform bill must be designed to generate revenue and reflect the principles of fairness, inclusivity, and Nigeria’s complex politics.

Taxation policies should be a tool for strengthening national unity, ensuring that every Nigerian, regardless of region or state, feels an equitable share of the nation’s prosperity. There is no need to rush to nowhere- the government must patiently engage in transparent dialogue and adopt a balanced approach that considers the diverse economic contributions and needs of all states. 

One key reason the North rejected the bills is that President Tinubu’s administration is facing growing suspicion among many Northerners due to certain policies, programs, and appointments. This is a troubling development for a government that, before coming to power, proudly counted the North as its political stronghold and key support base.

Such distrust is damaging not only to the administration’s credibility but also to national unity. To maintain the confidence of all Nigerians, it is crucial for the government to address these concerns transparently, ensuring that its actions reflect inclusivity and fairness. Economics and politics often intertwine. When political backlash outweighs economic benefits, retreat and consultation are essential.

The Tinubu government must strive to deliver on its promises while fostering trust across all states and demographics, particularly among those who believe in its leadership.

In essence, taxation should not be seen as a divisive tool but as a bridge that connects the unique strengths of each state and region, fostering a truly united and prosperous Nigeria.

 Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Abuja via zaymohd@yahoo.com.

By Uzair Adam 

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has made significant strides in its ongoing war against drug trafficking, intercepting a total of N22.7 billion worth of opioids at three major seaports. 

In a separate incident, operatives at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, arrested Oguejiofor Nnaemeka Simonpeter, a Thailand returnee, for attempting to smuggle heroin valued at over N3.1 billion.

Oguejiofor, a 29-year-old graduate of Mechanical Engineering from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University in Anambra State, was apprehended on October 7, 2024, while trying to exit the airport with the illicit drug hidden in six backpacks packed inside two large suitcases. 

The heroin, weighing 13.30 kilograms, was carefully sewn into the backpacks. 

According to a statement by Femi Babafemi, NDLEA’s Director of Media & Advocacy, Oguejiofor had travelled from Thailand to Lagos via Qatar Airways, stopping over in Doha. 

Upon arriving in Lagos, he requested his luggage, which was initially routed to Accra, Ghana, to be rerouted back to Nigeria in an attempt to avoid security checks. 

NDLEA officers intercepted the luggage, leading to the discovery of the heroin.

Oguejiofor claimed that he was paid $7,000 to deliver the drugs, with two parcels intended for Lagos and the remaining four for Accra.

In related operations, NDLEA officers at the Lekki Deep Seaport, Apapa Seaport in Lagos, and the Port Harcourt Port Complex seized a large quantity of opioids, including 32.6 million tramadol pills and over 1.4 million bottles of codeine-based syrup. 

These drugs were estimated to be worth N22.7 billion in total.

Meanwhile, operatives in Anambra State also arrested a suspect with 50,000 tramadol tablets, and in Edo State, NDLEA officers recovered 1,050 kilograms of cannabis during a raid at a transit point.