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Ahmed Gulak’s Killers Are IPOB, ESN Members —– Police

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The Imo State Police Command has identified killers of a former Presidential aide, Ahmed Gulak, to be members of the Indigenous People of Biafra and Eastern Security Network.

This is as the Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro, announced that combined operatives of the command’s Tactical Units, Intelligence Response Team and Police Mobile Force have killed the suspected assailants.

Gulak was on Monday morning killed in Imo State while on his way to Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport, Owerri.

A statement issued on Sunday night by the command’s Spokesperson, Bala Elkana, on behalf of the CP, disclosed that riffles, pistol, and ammunition were recovered from the slain suspects.

The statement read, “On 30th May 2021 following distress received by the Command on the gruesome murder of Ahmed Gulak, Police Special Forces made up of Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Police Mobile Force (PMF) and Tactical Units from the command were deployed to the scene at Obiangwu Junction at Ngorokpala LGA of Imo state. The teams were given clear instruction to identify and apprehend the perpetrators of the act with a view of bringing them to justice.

“Eyewitness account, especially the account given by the Driver of the vehicle that was conveying Ahmed Gulak to the Airport before the attack, gave a vivid description of the assailants and the vehicles they used in carrying out the attack.

“The assailants were said to have used a Toyota Camry 2005 model with silver color; Toyota Sienna 1998 Model with golden color; Toyota Hilux with white color; and a Lexus RX 330 with golden Color. (Registration numbers are withheld for security reasons).

“Having established the identity of the assailants and the description of the vehicles used in carrying out the attack, the teams further got details of the direction the hoodlums have taken.

“With further leads, the team was able to establish the location of suspects. The suspects were rounded up at Afor Enyiogugu junction in Aboh-Mbaise Local Government Area. The hoodlums were met distributing onions to locals from a trailer they confiscated. The trailer was loaded with Onions from the Northern region of Nigeria.

“On sighting the Police, the hoodlums providing security coverage to those sharing the onions opened fire on the Police teams. The gallant and battle-ready Police Officers swiftly returned the fire. The six hoodlums who carried out the killings and four other members of their gang were fatally injured. Three out of the four vehicles used in attacking Gulak were recovered.

“Three AK 47 Rifles, one Pistol, five AK 47 magazines with ninety-two rounds of live ammunition and criminal charms were recovered. The assailants were identified as members of the proscribed IPOB and ESN. The driver who drove late Ahmed Gulak and a co- victim who survived have all identified the dead body of the IPOB/ESM members positively as their attackers and also identified the three vehicles recovered as those used by the attackers. During the encounter, two of the police armored personnel carriers (APC) were riddled with bullets but survived the gun battle.

“The Commissioner of Police Imo State, CP Abutu Yaro, FDC commended the gallant effort of the team and admonished them to continue to protect the public space.”

BIG STORY

EFCC Declares 28-Yr-Old Woman Wanted Over Alleged Fraud, Theft

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has declared Oyinkansola Folashade Okanlawon, aged 28, wanted over alleged involvement in fraud and the illegal acquisition of funds.

The announcement was made through the Commission’s official X handle, stating that Okanlawon is being sought for reportedly obtaining money through false pretence and theft.

The notice reads: “The public is hereby notified that OYINKANSOLA FOLASHADE OKANLAWON, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the EFCC in an alleged case of Stealing and Obtaining Money by False Pretence.

“She is 28 years old and a native of Ipokia LGA in Ogun State. Her last known address is 21 Hammed-Kasumu Street, Chevron Drive, Lekki, Lagos.

“Anybody with useful information as to her whereabouts should please contact the Commission in its Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt or Abuja offices or through 08093322644; its e-mail address: [email protected] or the nearest Police Station and other security agencies.”

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Building A Cleaner Lagos: Environment Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab Backs LAWMA’s Triad of Education, Collaboration — By Babajide Fadoju

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  • As LASEPA Drives Science-Based Environmental Solutions

 

Lagos generates over 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, with single-use plastics clogging drainages, polluting water bodies, and threatening public health.

The Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) has historically relied on enforcement to manage this crisis, but recent initiatives signal a shift toward education, collaboration, and innovation.

The awareness walk, organized in collaboration with the Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA) and Alternative Bank, in Yaba and Tejuosho markets, exemplifies this evolution, promoting a zero-plastic lifestyle and responsible waste management.

While LAWMA’s progress is commendable, scaling these efforts to address Lagos’ massive waste challenges requires deeper public engagement, sustained partnerships, and innovative solutions.

Plastic pollution is a pressing issue in Lagos. With 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste generated annually, less than 10% is recycled.

Single-use plastics, like sachets and styrofoam, exacerbate flooding, harm aquatic life, and infiltrate the food chain, posing health risks such as asthma and heart disease.

A 2023 audit by LASEPA revealed that each Lagosian discards roughly 34 kilograms of plastic into water systems yearly, equivalent to 10 plastic bottles daily. The state response includes the 2024 styrofoam ban and the “Adopt-a-Bin” program, which encourages waste sorting.

As spearheaded by the commissioner of Environment and Water Resources, Honourable Tokunbo Wahab. LAWMA has demonstrated collective responsibility, aligning with the THEMES+ agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.

LAWMA’s educational efforts are gaining traction. The agency’s collaboration with the Glo Skillbridge programme, graduating street sweepers trained in skills like baking, fashion design, and digital marketing, empowers its workforce while fostering environmental stewardship.

These initiatives complement LAWMA’s enforcement, which saw over 6,700 arrests for environmental violations from January to May 2025. This “stick and carrot” approach; balancing penalties with education, aims to create an informed populace capable of making responsible waste disposal choices.

Collaboration is central to LAWMA’s strategy. The partnership with LASEPA and Alternative Bank during the awareness walk highlights the power of public-private partnerships (PPP). Alternative Bank’s donation of waste bins to markets supports the Zero-Plastic Lagos initiative, while their emphasis on converting plastic waste into economic value through recycling aligns with global circular economy principles.

Dr. Babatunde Ajayi, LASEPA’s General Manager, stressed the need for sustainable alternatives, noting that plastic waste in the food chain endangers public health. Market leaders at Tejuosho, speaking in local dialects, pledged to adopt waste sorting and regular sanitation, reinforcing community-driven change. Dr. Gaji Omobolaji Tajudeen, Permanent Secretary of the Office of Environmental Services, praised Alternative Bank’s corporate social responsibility and urged other organizations to join LAWMA in delivering a cleaner, safer Lagos.

Despite these efforts, challenges persist. Public resistance to policies like the 2025 single-use plastics ban stems from concerns over the cost of sustainable alternatives and inadequate transition periods. Businesses argue that reusable options are less affordable, while enforcement measures sometimes alienate communities. Lagos’ rapid urbanization, with over 1,500 sachet water factories producing 60 million sachets daily, overwhelms existing waste infrastructure. LAWMA’s Smart Bin innovation and decentralized operations across Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) are steps forward, but scaling these requires significant investment and public cooperation.

To address these hurdles, LAWMA must deepen community engagement. The use of local languages in outreach, as seen in the Yaba and Tejuosho walk, ensures inclusivity across Lagos’ diverse population. Expanding campaigns with influencers, traditional media, and community leaders can build consensus and counter resistance. LAWMA should also explore deposit schemes for sachets and bottles, incentivizing recycling while reducing litter. The agency’s collaboration with LASEPA, as seen in their joint push for regional air quality standards at the Nairobi Clean Air Forum, offers a model for waste management. By integrating waste sensors into Lagos’ public transit network and training African engineers to build affordable monitors, LAWMA can enhance data-driven governance.

Private sector partnerships are equally critical. Alternative Bank’s support, alongside initiatives like the Glo Skillbridge programme, shows how corporate involvement can amplify LAWMA’s impact. Expanding the PPP model to include more businesses could fund infrastructure upgrades, such as waste-to-energy plants and additional transfer loading stations. These partnerships can also drive innovation, like upcycling plastics into construction materials, creating jobs and reducing environmental harm.

LAWMA’s collaboration with LASEPA is particularly promising. By aligning with a science-based agency, LAWMA can refine its data-driven approach, ensuring policies are grounded in evidence.

For instance, LASEPA’s work with University of Lagos to develop affordable air quality sensors could inspire similar innovations in waste monitoring. Such synergies can strengthen enforcement while fostering public trust through transparent, science-backed policies.

LAWMA’s shift toward education, collaboration, and innovation marks a turning point in Lagos’ waste management journey. As envisioned by Commissioner Tokunbo Wahab and ultimately, Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu, the end goal to have a cleaner, greater Lagos.

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BIG STORY

Obasa Commends N500Billion ‘Produce For Lagos’ Initiative, Reaffirms Assembly’s Support

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The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr) Mudashiru Obasa has commended the N500billion ‘Produce for Lagos’ Initiative, a state government-led collaboration with the private sector to tackle supply chain inefficiencies, enhance access to agricultural produce, and strengthen food security across Lagos.

Implemented through Special Purpose Vehicles like the Lagos Food Systems Infrastructure Company (LAFSINCO), Lagos Bulk Trading Company, Eko Logistics, and Produce for Lagos Fund, the programme will provide credit support for food producers across the state, and working capital for bulk traders and logistic operators. This will ensure a stable food supply for Lagos and beyond, while boosting private sector investment in agriculture and food systems.

Speaking with reporters on the sidelines of the launch held at the Lagos House, Alausa, on Wednesday, Speaker Obasa described the ₦500 billion Offtake Guarantee Fund as a transformative step toward making agriculture a cornerstone of Lagos’ economic prosperity. He reaffirmed the House of Assembly’s steadfast support for every initiative that will propel the state’s economy to greater heights.

In his words, “The Lagos State House of Assembly is fully committed to this vision, which will help to harness the infinite potential of our arable land and transform agriculture into the cornerstone of Lagos State’s economic prosperity. We believe that agriculture has the potential to be a potent driver of food security, job creation, and economic diversification in our state.”

Over the years, the Speaker continued, “The House of Assembly has been very proactive in supporting agriculture through policies and legislation that promote investment, innovation, and inclusivity. And we know that the ‘Produce for Lagos ‘ initiative being launched today will go further to address food insecurity and ensure long-term access to affordable, nutritious food across the state.”

Speaker Obasa further assured that the Assembly will expedite deliberations on the Food Hub Bill aimed at formalising market operations and reducing informal trading constraints.

In his keynote address, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the launch of the initiative as “a watershed moment in our shared commitment to achieving food security, inclusive prosperity, and sustainable growth not just for Lagos State but for Nigeria.” He added that the program will provide guaranteed offtake contracts, financing access, and logistics support, connecting all and sundry directly with Lagos’s dynamic food economy.

On her part, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Systems, Ms Abisola Olusanya, said the initiative was designed as a large-scale off-taker programme that would focus on strengthening the state’s food supply chain through interstate collaboration and strategic private sector investments. Olusanya said, “The ‘Produce for Lagos’ initiative represents our commitment to building resilient, sustainable food systems by leveraging interstate collaboration and private sector investment.”

The event had in attendance, among other preeminent Nigerians, the Governors of Kogi, Ogun, Niger, and Plateau States; Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS); Michael Deleen, Consul General of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Tony Elumelu, the founder and chairman of UBA Plc, who donated N25billion to support the initiative.

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