The Harbingerngr News

Tragedy struck at Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, Lagos, after a deaf commuter was crushed by a mini commercial bus popularly called Korope.   Report said  an unidentified driver of the mini commercial bus lost control and veered off his lane.  In the process of controlling the bus, he rammed into another mini bus stationed , before mowing down the unsuspecting pedestrian. Director, Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department, LASTMA Adebayo Taofiq, who confirmed the incident, said “ The   fatal collision involved two Suzuki mini commercial buses   with registration numbers EPE 279 YJ and BDG 558 YG “Demonstrating swift crisis intervention in alignment with the United Nations Response Time, UNRT operatives of the LASTMA promptly arrived at the scene, cordoning off the affected area and summoning law enforcement personnel from the Area “F’ Police division, who assumed custody of both vehicles for an exhaustive investigation.   Simultane...

THE Ogun State government, yesterday, confirmed a case of Lassa fever, officially declaring an outbreak in the state. The Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, in a statement, disclosed that the index case was a 25-year-old female National Youth Corps member who fell ill while in Ondo State and was brought to a secondary health facility in Ijebu North Local Government Area of the state on March 18, 2025. Coker said: “The individual sadly passed away the same day. “Lassa fever is a viral hemorrhagic disease that presents with symptoms such as high-grade fever, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, cough, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and, in severe cases, unexplained bleeding from body openings.  “I, hereby, urge residents to seek immediate medical attention if they experience any of these symptoms, particularly if a fever does not improve within 48 hours of malaria or antibiotic treatment.” Emphasising the need for heightened precautions, the Commissioner said: “Healthcare workers w...

 THE House of Representatives, yesterday, approved a constitutional amendment bill seeking to upgrade the 37 Local Council Development Areas, LCDAs, in Lagos State to full-fledged Local Government Areas. The bill, which was among 42 constitutional amendment bills passed, yesterday, aims to increase Lagos’ local government count from 20 to 57, cementing its status as the state with the highest number of LGAs in Nigeria. Sponsored by the lawmakers representing Ikeja Federal Constituency, Ikorodu Federal Constituency and Lagos Island I Federal Constituency, James Faleke, Babajimi Benson and Enitan Badru alongside 19 other lawmakers, the proposed legislation marks a significant step in addressing Lagos’ administrative and infrastructural needs. Titled ‘A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to Accommodate the 37 Development Area Councils of Lagos State as Full-Fledged Local Government Areas, Increasing the Total Number of Local...

Justice Deinde Dipeolu of a  Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, yesterday convicted  and sentenced Okorie Sunday to six months imprisonment for laundering the sum of $299,000 and 100 Euro into the country. The judge also ordered the forfeiture of the the sun of $299,000  and 100 Euros, which were intercepted by the Nigerian Customs Service, at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, on March 19, to the Federal Government due to non declaration.  Justice Dipeolu delivered the judgment after the counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Chineye Okezie lead one witnesses from the Nigerian Customs Service,  Nanaowe Tonbo, who narrated how Okorie approached the declaration desk and was asked to declare what he had in his luggage. “My names are Nanaowe Tonbo. I work with the  Nigerian Customs Service under anti money laundering section in MMA Lagos.  “On March 19, 2025, about 9 to10p.m.,  Mr Sunday Okorie approached the declaration desk...

 Police in Rivers State have arrested four persons over their alleged role in the ritual killing of two children in Rukpokwu community, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state. The incident was said to have happened on Monday and reported at Rumuokoro Special Area. It was gathered that the prime suspect had sent the two children on errand and when they returned, the suspect took them to an uncompleted building, drugged them and later killed them. It was also learned that the suspect had cut off some vital parts of the two children and scooped their blood into a bottle. It was further learned that the corpses of the victims were recovered and sent to mortuary, while police have started investigation. Confirming the development in Port Harcourt, yesterday, the Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko, said four people have been arrested in connection to the killing.Iringe-Koko narrated that four people, a native doctor, the prime suspect, h...

A motorcyclist and a student have been crushed to death by a truck in Amaekpu, along the Ohafia - Arochukwu highway,  in Ohafia council area of Abia State. Eyewitnesses told Vanguard that the accident occurred when  the truck lost brakes and rammed into the motorcycle rider and the schoolboy, killing them  on the spot. The truck loaded with stones, was said to be speeding when it lost control, crushing the young boy, who was on his way to school, and the  motorcyclist. Vanguard gathered that the accident sparked outrage among the youth of Amaekpu community who set the truck on fire.   However, the fire was immediately extinguished following the appeals of  some elders of the community. Some community residents asked the federal and Abia State governments to install speed breaks along the highway to prevent motorists from excessively speeding. The corpses of the student and the motorcycle rider were still trapped under the truck while efforts were being...

lDemocracy failed in Nigeria because it’s not African — eX-pRESIDENT lEverything has been knocked down — Obi  lActors don’t play by the rules — Tambuwal lIt is work in progress — Kukah lSays weaponisation of religion, major obstacle to Nigeria’s development Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, presidential candidate of Labour Party in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, and former governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday expressed concerns that democracy was not working in Nigeria. The leaders, who spoke at the 60th birthday celebration of former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha, at the Ladi Kwali Hall, Abuja Intercontinental Hotel, yesterday, stressed the need for urgent reforms to address the country’s challenges. Speaking at the event also attended by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Emeka Anyaoku and immediate past governor of kats...

THE way Federal Government was "dashing" out universities in various parts of the country. The Tinubu administration even moved further by "adopting" a state-owned university, the Tai Solarin University of Education in Ogun State. Already, Ogun State is the university capital of the country. There are about 10 universities, private and public, in Ogun already. Establishing another federal university there will seem out of place, hence the "adoption" of an existing one. Good thinking? Perhaps. But I am worried about the development because it is a reflection of the quality of thinking that guides the management of public affairs in our country. In the same country where the famous East-West Road remains uncompleted, it was deemed appropriate to begin a N15 Trillion Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road, without appropriate budgeting and tendering process. If that is the case, there can be no problem if we leave existing universities in various stages of their physical...

THE Lagos State government, has dismissed insinuations that the state is smelling, adding that it is committed to a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach to ensure a clean, resilient and liveable city. The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, said this while reeling out measures the state is taking to demonstrate it is evolving. Recall that a TikToker and member of the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, Ushie Uguamaye, also known as Raye, in a viral video titled ‘Lagos smelling’, said this while laying her mind bare against the economic hardship faced by Nigerians under President Bola Tinubu.  Raye has since apologized for the comment. Reacting to the viral video, Mr Wahab said: “Lagos is not smelling, it is evolving -toward sustainable waste processing, modernised landfill management, cleaner waterways and structured sanitation systems. “The present administration of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu remains steadfast in its commitment to building a ...

Many were feared of dead around the Karu bridge area of the nation’s capital, Abuja, following the explosion of fuel-laden truck. Witnesses said the truck had lost control around the Karu bridge, an area between Kugbo and Nyanya on the Abuja-Keffi Expressway. They said some cars were trapped in the incident with their occupants unable to escape. Vanguard gathered that several residents of the area had called at press time, seeking ways of reaching the relevant emergency services.

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State has commiserated with the victims of a rainstorm that destroyed the classrooms of Mayigi Community Comprehensive High School, Ilase, in the Ipokia Local Government Area of the state. A 14-year-old Junior Secondary School 3 student, Timothy Amosun, died in the incident, while five other learners, two teachers, a food vendor and her seven-month-old child were injured. Governor Abiodun described the incident as a rude shock and very pathetic to bear, praying to God to give the family of the deceased the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss. The governor said the government would be responsible for the medical bills of the injured, adding that he had directed concerned agencies to move the victims who are in critical condition to specialist hospitals within and outside the state, where they are currently receiving maximum medical attention. He also stated that he has directed the Commissioner for Education to visit the families of the victims and the...

Kebbi State Government, has confirmed that out of 17 samples sent to National Laboratory Reference Centre, Abuja, five samples have returned positive, which is the confirmation of meningitis outbreak in Kebbi. Speaking in Birnin Kebbi, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Kebbi State, Dr. Shehu Koko said at least 56 persons hava died across Kebbi State since the outbreak of meningitis. Koko led by the World Health Organisation, UNICEF, Medicines San Frontiers MSF and other healthcare development partners in Kebbi have activated rapid response mechanism to tame the spread of the disease, part of which include donation of vaccines from the Federal Government, drugs from healthcare partners, opening of isolation centers in the affected local governments supported by WHO, UNICEF and MSF all in efforts to contain it within short time. “We have opened isolation centers, equipped general hospitals in the affected towns with vaccines and treatment drugs.” He explained that, Kebbi State...

...holds colleagues hostage A Police Inspector,  one Effiong Bassey, ran amok, yesterday, shooting indiscriminately, killing one civilian identified as Mrs. Ijoema Obot and injuring two others in Calabar, Cross River State capital. The incident Vanguard  learned occurred about 6a.m., when the policeman who went to night beat at a Microfinance Bank in Calabar South returned to the Atakpa Divisional Police station and allegedly started behaving strangely. Findings showed that when the policeman  returned from his beat, he allegedly refused to return the AK 47 he used for the night duty, but rather cocked the rifle and threatened to shoot his colleagues. A security source who pleaded anonymity told Vanguard  that, “Inspector Bassey who was on night duty at a Microfinance Bank in Calabar South started being hostile and erratic when he returned from night duty to Atakpa Divisional Police station. “He blocked the gate of the station, refused anyone exit or entry into the f...

•Dangote donates 80,000 bags of rice THE Lagos State overnment, in collaboration with the Aliko Dangote Foundation, yesterday, flagged off the National Food Intervention programme, aimed at alleviating hunger and promoting food security across Lagos and Nigeria. The programme is aimed at distributing 80,000 10 kilogramme bags of rice to the vulnerable residents of Lagos State in every local government across the state. Speaking at the flag-off held at Lagos House in Ikeja, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, urged stakeholders, individuals, and private organisations within the country to key into the Aliko Dangote Foundation food intervention programme and contribute to the development and well-being of Nigerians. Sanwo-Olu said: “We can see what the Aliko Dangote Foundation is doing, we encourage others to do it. But the essence is to show that everybody in our country must contribute.  “We want more people to be doing charity. ...

  •Appoints Vice Admiral Ibas as administrator •Suspends Fubara, Odu, lawmakers for six months PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu, has explained the reason he declared state of emergency in Rivers State According to his broadcast, the president suspended the governor, Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Professor Ngozi Odu, and members of the State House of Assembly for six months. He appointed former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas, rtd, as administrator, and the appointment is subject to the confirmation of the National Assembly. Declaring the state of emergency yesterday, Tinubu said: “Fellow Nigerians, I feel greatly disturbed at the turn we have come to regarding the political crisis in Rivers State. Like many of you, I have watched with concern the development, with the hope that the parties involved would allow good sense to prevail at the soonest, but all that hope burned out without any solution to the crisis. ‘’With the crisis persisting, there is no way democratic governa...

AN Ikeja Chief Magistrates’ Court, has remanded a 57-year old man, Anthony Iloka, at the Kirikiri prison, Lagos, for allegedly defiling a two-year old girl. Iloka, a school bus driver, residing at No 1, Taiwo Aina St., Isheri Idimu, Lagos, was charged with defilement. The Prosecutor, Adegoke Ademigbuji told the court that the defendant committed the offence on January 30, at De Stage International School, Idimu, Lagos. Ademigbuji said that the mother of the victim was bathing her when she noticed that the child’s hymen had been tempered with. “When she enquired further, the little girl mentioned the driver, telling her mother that the driver touched her. “That was how the case was reported at the police station and the defendant was arrested,” he said. The prosecutor said that the offence contravened Section 137 of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015. The Chief Magistrate, Mrs. O Kushanu, who did not hear the defendant’s plea, remanded him at the Kirikiri prison. She ordered that the...

A female trader has been crushed to death in Rivers State by a tipper conveying building materials. The incident happened, yesterday, at Oil Mill Market at Rumuokwurusi area of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state. It was gathered that the heavily loaded truck was descending from the Eleme Junction flyover when it failed brake and crushed the victim. It was learned that the victim, whose name could not be ascertained at press time was trading on food items by the road side when the truck ran over her. Another trader, Mrs. Uchechi, who was in trauma over the development said the woman was packaging food stuff for her customer when the truck took her life. Uchechi said: “We were just in the market, she was selling market when the driver jammed her. She died there under the tyre of the tipper.” Culled from Vanguard

 A supervisor for boundaries matter with the Kosofe Local Government Area of Lagos State, Ganiyu Oyebanjo, has been arraigned before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos over allegations of conspiracy and theft of official council documents. Oyebanjo appeared before Chief Magistrate O. Olatunji following charges brought against him by the Police, represented by its counsel, Zebedee Arekhandia. However, the defendant pleaded not guilty to the two counts of conspiracy and stealing levelled against him by the Police. As a result of his plea position, Oyebanjo’s lawyer, P. Obodo requested the court to grant him bail, but the prosecution opposed the application, arguing that Oyebanjo might abscond and engage in further criminal activities if released. In response, Chief Magistrate Olatunji granted bail for N5 million, requiring two sureties in like sum.  The presiding magistrate said one surety must own property in Lagos, with title documents verified, and provide evidence of thre...

POLICE detectives in Ondo State, have arrested seven suspected kidnappers including a 19-year Umar Isyaku, in possession of N3.5 million believed to be ransom paid by families of their victims. Briefing newsmen in Akure, the state  Commissioner of Police, Wilfred Afolabi, said  the 19-year-old lsyaku was arrested alongside one Ridwan Salisu,45, at Ipele in connection with a case of kidnapping.  Afolabi said they were arrested March 14, 2025, through coordinated intelligence led policing.  According to him, “N3.6 million was found in possession of the duo. Salisu claimed the money was for PoS.  Investigation is ongoing to confirm if the money is a proceed of ransom paid by victims.” The Police chief added that another wanted suspected kidnapper, Abdullahi Mallam, 21, has been one apprehended by the Police and local vigilantes at Owo. According to him, Mallam “is part of the syndicate of Ibrahim Dan Alh Umaru that was arrested earlier in the year and his name reoc...

A telecommunications provider in Nigeria, 9mobile has introduced an AI-driven storytelling platform known as Echoes, that seamlessly blends artificial intelligence with compelling narratives.  This initiative is designed to forge deeper connections with audiences, enhance brand affinity, boost engagement, and ignite conversations about Nigeria’s rich heritage and culture. Speaking during the launch, the Director of Marketing at 9mobile, Kenechukwu Okonkwo, said: “As a proudly Nigerian brand, we were deliberate about sharing rich Nigerian stories; capturing facts, myths and true events that form the fabric of our identity. Many of these stories have been forgotten or lost as our cultures evolve. With Echoes, we step away from the Eurocentric narratives that dominate mainstream media and instead celebrate Nigerian stories, told by Nigerians, for Nigerians.” Commenting on this achievement, 9mobile’s Chief Executive Officer, Obafemi Banigbe, said: “We are thrilled to receive this recog...

THE President of Dangote Industries, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, yesterday, alleged that his cement plant in Itori, Ewekoro local government area of Ogun State was demolished twice by the Governor Ibikunle Amosun administration, including the factory’s fencing during the second demolition. However, in a swift reaction to the allegation, the former Ogun State governor said that Dangote does not possess requisite approvals for constructing the structures he alleged were demolished.  Speaking when he visited his new Cement factory located in Itori Ewekoro local government area of the state, Dangote commended Governor Dapo Abiodun for persuading him to return and resume construction of the plant, which is now nearing completion and expected to commence operations next year. Dangote said: “I think it is good we have it on record that the (cement) factory we are visiting now in Itori, you know it was because of His Excellency (Dapo Abiodun) that we came back. “That factory was demolished twice...

A Lagos State High Court has reserved judgment in the suit by the reinstated speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr Mudashiru Obasa, who is challenging the legality of the January 13, 2025, proceeding that led to his initial removal. Trial judge, Justice Yetunde Pinheiro, who heard several preliminary objections by counsel representing the defendants, said the date for judgment and rulings would be communicated to parties in due course. Recall that, President Bola Tinubu met the lawmakers, including Obasa at the State House last week and directed that he should work peacefully with his colleagues. At the resumed hearing of the case, yesterday, members of the Assembly were surprised to learn that the reinstated Speaker was still pursuing legal action against the institution he presides over. Prof. Joshua Olatoke, SAN, counsel to the claimant, Mr Obasa, urged the court to assume jurisdiction to hear the matter.  He argued that the Assembly was in recess at the time the lawmakers conven...

THE 2023 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Lagos State, Dr. Olajide Adediran, popularly called Jandor,  has returned to the All Progressives Congress, APC, saying he returned to the APC based on the capacity of the party in winning elective positions for its members. Announcing his defection at a media briefing held at Liberty Place, Adeniyi Jones Street, Ikeja in Lagos, Adediran expressed confidence that APC will win the 2027 polls both at the national and state levels. He said: “Since resignation from PDP, we have engaged in very wide consultations with our political associates and teeming followers and supporters across the state. We have equally had a series of engagements with various political interests and parties across the country in our quest to choose a platform for the expression of our vision and aspiration for the betterment of the good people of Lagos State.  “In the process of consultation, we had crucial discussions with some lead...

THE National Drug Law  Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has, yesterday, thwarted attempts by drug trafficking organisations to move illicit consignments of cocaine, tramadol, loud, molly, and other drugs, concealed in prayer beads, packs of board games and female clothing to the United States of America, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Poland and the United Arab Emirates. The agency's spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said two suspects behind some of the aborted shipments at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Ikeja, Lagos, have been arrested. In a statement, he said, among other things, "One of the suspects is a 43-year-old businesswoman, Jakpor Egware May, who was nabbed at the Gate 'C' departure hall of the Lagos airport while attempting to board an Air France flight to Italy on Saturday, March 8, 2025. "When she was searched, 190 parcels of tramadol 225mg and another parcel of skunk (a strain of cannabis) were recovered from her luggage. "In her statement, she cl...

ABDUCTORS of a businessman, Tope Faji, his wife, and their daughter, in Owo, Ondo State, have demanded a ransom of N30 million for their release. Recall that the victims were abducted in front of their residence along Ipele Road, Owo, in Owo Local Government Area of Ondo State. Family sources said the kidnappers initially demanded a ransom of N30 million but later reduced it to N20 million. Since then, there have been no further communications from the kidnappers. A source said, "We were together on Friday because we were fasting. That day, we were all at his wife’s shop, playing, before we eventually parted ways. Later, I received a call from one of his sons, informing me that his father, mother, and sister had been kidnapped. We quickly got into a vehicle and rushed to Tope’s house. "The boy who called me was the one who had stepped out of the car to open the gate. He said that while he was opening it, the kidnappers attacked, and he managed to escape. When the kidnappers c...

THE National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, has cited funding challenges as the reason for the delay in implementing the increased monthly allowance for corps members. Despite federal government’s approval of the allowance hike from N33,000 to N77,000 in July 2024 and assurances that payments would begin in February 2025, corps members continue to receive the old stipend, sparking frustration amid Nigeria’s rising cost of living. Carol Embu, the Acting Director of Information and Public Relations at the NYSC, addressed the issue in an interview with Vanguard in Abuja yesterday.  She explained that the scheme was actively pursuing the cash backing for the allowance increase but emphasised that the process required time and due diligence. Embu also noted that the new NYSC Director-General, Brigadier General Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu, who recently assumed office, was still familiarising himself with the matter.  She assured corps members that the NYSC was working diligently to reso...

THE Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Ogun state has confirmed that four people died, while nine others sustained injuries in a lone accident on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway on Sunday. Mrs. Florence Okpe, the spokesperson for the FRSC in Ogun, confirmed the incident on Monday night.. She said that the crash occurred at 8:30 p.m. and was caused by speeding and a tyre burst, which led to loss of control. “The suspected causes of the lone crash were speed violation and a tyre burst, which led to loss of control. The vehicle, marked FKJ 570 YE, crashed,” she said. The FRSC spokesperson added that 13 passengers were involved, comprising five men and eight women. She explained that two men and two women died, while three men and six women sustained injuries. Okpe stated that the injured victims were taken to Victory Hospital, Ogere, while the deceased were deposited at the FOS Morgue, Ipara.