SEGUN ADENIYI ON LAGOS DEPORTATION: Just Send Them Away!

THE VERDICT BY OLUSEGUN ADENIYI Email: olusegun.adeniyi@thisdaylive.com

When last year the Lagos State Government put some people considered destitute in a bus and dumped them somewhere at Onitsha (they sure love that town) in Anambra State, I found the action difficult to understand. But before intervening on the issue, I decided it was better to speak with those behind the policy to hear their justification for such internal displacement of Nigerians. After getting the contact of the Special Adviser to the Governor who superintends the programme, I sent him a mail to which he replied. However, on the same day, I got a call from the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, who took almost 30 minutes to explain the policy to me. Notwithstanding my misgivings about the whole idea, it was not an argument I could possibly win against a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Okagbare Wins Silver for Nigeria in Moscow 2013

Blessing Okagbare

Nigeria’s long wait for a medal at the World Athletics Championships ended on Sunday when Blessing Okagbare won a silver medal in the long jump event at the ongoing championships in Moscow, Russia. She was only 0.02cm behind the gold medallist, Brittney Reese of the United States. Okagbare leapt 6.99m.

Okagbare, who has also still on course in the 100m women’s race, thus became the first Nigerian to win a medal at the Championships after Gloria Alozie won a sliver medal in the 100m hurdles and Francis Obikwelu won a bronze over 100m both at Seville’99.

Falana Condemns Relocation of Beggars to States of Origin

Mr Femi Falana

A Lagos-based lawyer and former President of the West African Bar Association (WABA),  Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), has condemned the governors of some states, who have engaged in the relocation of the destitute from the states where they lived to their various  states of origin, describing the action as illegal.

Falana, while speaking with journalists in Ado-Ekiti  Sunday, said the relocation of some beggars by the Lagos State Government was contrary to the provisions of the constitution which stated that Nigerians could choose to live in any part of the country.

Jonathan, Security Chiefs Meet Today

Security Chiefs 

President Goodluck Jonathan Monday behind closed doors with some of the security chiefs and cabinet members. The meeting, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, lasted for over two hours.

In attendance at the meeting were the National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) , Minister of State for Defence Erelu Obada, Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade (rtd), Secretary to the Government of the Federation Anyim Pius Anyim, Chief of Army Staff Lt-General Azubike Ihejirika, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba, Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar and the Director-General of State Security Service (SSS) Ita Ekpeyong. 

EXCLUSIVE: Two Feared Dead As Police Engage Robbers in Shootout

Braide, Lagos PRO

Two persons were Sunday feared dead at the Meiran-Ijaiye area of Lagos State, after the rescue patrol team  from the of the police engaged a gang of armed robbers in a shoot-out. The armed gang had attempted to rob one of the popular pentecostal churches in Lagos located at Olaniyi Close, but their plans were aborted by the  policemen who acting on a tip off stormed the area. 

EXCLUSIVE: Navy Trains Personnel Against Sexually Abusing Civilians During Operations

Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba 

At least 60 naval personnel including ratings were on Monday subjected to undergo special training for prevention and response to conflict related violence including sexual abuse. Declaring the week-long programme open in Lagos, the Flag Officer Commanding (GOC), Naval Training Command, Rear Adm. Levi Ajuonu, said the training was part of the vision of the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Dele Ezeoba.

EXCLUSIVE: Two Dead, Others Injured as Immigration, Custom and Army Officers Allegedly Clash in Lagos

Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika 

A free-for-all fight between personnel of the Nigeria Customs Service (NSC), the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigerian Army (NA), weekend at the Badagry area of Lagos ended in a blood bath as three persons were allegedly killed in the fracas.

The security operatives who are from sister services were said to have first engaged in a scuffle which later degenerated to a gun duel at one of the checkpoints at Gbaji area of Badagry.

EXCLUSIVE: Two Feared Dead As Police Engage Robbers in Shootout

Two persons were Sunday feared dead at the Meiran-Ijaiye area of Lagos State, after the rescue patrol team  from the of the police engaged a gang of armed robbers in a shoot-out.

The armed gang had attempted to rob one of the popular pentecostal churches in Lagos located at Olaniyi Close, but their plans were aborted by the  policemen who acting on a tip off stormed the area. 

Teenager Drowns as Ocean Surge Ravages Lagos Beaches

Lagos Lagoon

Barely a day after environmentalists and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) warned about the ongoing ocean surge in the coastal area of Lagos State, a teenager was swept away in the surge during the weekend.

NEMA had last Thursday warned members of the public to desist from going to beaches such as Kuramo, Oniru and Bar Beach due to the turbulence of the ocean.

The teenager, whose identity has not been ascertained, was said to have been swept away by the tumultuous waves when he went to the Bar Beach for a swim.

Commercial Drivers Lament Extortion by Army

Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika

Commercial drivers plying the Enugu-Onitsha and Enugu-Port-Harcourt Expressway Sunday alleged that the increasing spate of extortion and harassment in the hands of soldiers operating along the areas had started taking its toll on their business.

They have therefore urged the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Azubuike Ihejirika, to save them from the situation before it degenerates to a more dangerous dimension, even as they threatened showdown with the soldiers if nothing was done immediately.