Officers of the Niger State Police Command, working alongside other security agencies, have rescued 35 kidnapped victims from suspected Boko Haram insurgents.

The victims, which include women and children, were said to have been held in captivity for more than a year.

Reports indicated that the terrorists were moving the victims—who had been abducted from different locations across the state such as Pandogari, Madaka, Allawa, Sarkin-Pawa, Taraba State, and other areas—to Yauri in Kebbi State.

The bandits, who were fleeing the Birnin-Gwari forest following security forces’ clearance operations, were intercepted along the Madaka-Makujeri road by police tactical teams who found them with the captives.

The driver of the vehicle, identified as Yusuf Abdullahi from Birnin Gwari, was arrested at Tegina while transporting the victims to Yauri where he planned to hand them over to other members of the terrorist group.

Some of the victims had already been dropped off to board a different vehicle headed to Yauri.

Additional victims, consisting of five women and six children, were intercepted in Agwara while attempting to cross the river into Kebbi State.

Police recovered two magazines and 60 rounds of live ammunition during the operation.

Wasiu Abiodun, spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, confirmed the rescue operation in a statement and said the victims had been moved to the State Police Headquarters in Minna for further investigation.

According to the statement, “Following the reports of suspected bandits relocating from Birnin-Gwari forest due to security forces’ clearance operations in the area, and from 3rd–5th July 2025, about 24 kidnapped victims, including women and children, who were kidnapped over a year ago from different locations in the state such as Pandogari, Madaka, Allawa, Sarkin-Pawa, even Taraba and other areas, were relocating to Yauri, Kebbi State.

“However, police tactical teams stationed along Madaka-Makujeri road intercepted most of the victims in a vehicle driven by Yusuf Abdullahi of B/Gwari, who was conveying them to Yauri to hand them over to other members of the group, while others were dropped at Tegina to board another vehicle to Yauri.

“The driver was arrested, the victims were rescued, and taken to a medical facility for attention before being reunited with their families.

“The investigation is ongoing with a view to rescuing other victims from the hoodlums and to also effect arrests.

“Similarly, on 4th July 2025 at about 4:30 pm, other victims comprising five women and six children were intercepted in Agwara during an attempt to cross the river to Yauri, Kebbi State.

“DPO Agwara Division took custody of them. Two magazines and sixty rounds of live ammunition were recovered. They were transferred to State Police Headquarters, Minna, for further investigation,” Abiodun said.

He also mentioned that the state Commissioner of Police, Adamu Elleman, praised the work of the joint security teams and encouraged the public to provide credible information to security agencies to support further rescues of kidnapped victims.

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Obasa has declared unequivocally that Lagos State and, by extension, Nigeria’s economy have benefited immensely from the progressive, proactive, and productive legislature under his watch.

Obasa made this declaration at The Expatriates Business Awards (TEBA) held Sunday, July 6, at the Grand Ballroom of the Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, where he was the Chief Host.

Organised by Pun Communications Ltd., the TEBA, an evening of culture and commerce where the handshakes of diplomacy meet the heartbeats of Nigerian creativity, celebrates the significant contributions of expatriates, ethnic businesses, and migrant communities to Lagos and Nigeria.

In his rousing welcome address to a diverse audience of diplomats, industry leaders, and entrepreneurs, Speaker Obasa spotlighted the state assembly, which he had led for the past decade, as an integral catalyst to Lagos’ economic growth for enacting laws that have created an enabling environment for businesses, attract investments, and foster sustainable economic growth.

Aside reviewing and amending laws to address emerging economic challenges and opportunities, the Speaker said the Assembly plays a crucial role in promoting economic development by enacting and overseeing laws that govern public procurement like the Public Procurement Law (2021), which regulates how the state procures goods and services and promotes transparency and accountability in government spending.

There is also the Appropriation Law for resource allocation for various development projects and initiatives, and the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Law that facilitates collaboration between the public and private sectors to deliver projects like roads, power plants, and other essential infrastructure. The Speaker further mentioned the Land Use and Management Laws, which govern land use, development, and allocation, crucial for attracting investment and facilitating development projects.

To ensure the safety and security of Nigerians and foreigners alike, and boost the confidence of expatriates in coming to live and invest in Lagos, Obasa said, “We also created the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) to assist and complement the police by providing valuable intelligence for crime prevention and facilitating the arrest of perpetrators of criminal activities in the state.”

However, Speaker Obasa said that aside from the legislature, the state has benefited tremendously from being accommodating and receptive to foreigners. He recalled that this distinct nature of the state spurred a Portuguese explorer who was fascinated by the city’s strategic coastal location and trade potential to rechristen Eko as the state was then known to ‘Lagos.’

Over the centuries, Obasa noted that the incursion of expatriates into the evolving Lagos economy ensured that it enjoyed more rapid growth than any other Nigerian city, citing expatriates’ spending on housing, education, and leisure, among other areas of life as being a huge boost for local businesses.

He added, “As a centre for commerce, industry, and innovation, we have built a state where expats report a high quality of life, enjoying many luxuries not accessible back at home, and businesses and tourism thrive.

“Lagos also creates a fertile and enabling ground for expatriate involvement as their invaluable contributions span leadership in major companies, participation in key industries, contributions to professional services, and importation of international expertise.”

While acknowledging the importance of collaboration and unity in driving progress, fostering economic growth, creating jobs, and enhancing Lagos’s global standing, Speaker Obasa called for a more mutually beneficial partnership.

“This is a clarion call to our expatriates to continue playing their parts here by paying taxes and giving back to our people through veritable Corporate Social Responsibility activities. This is the only way we can have a mutually beneficial and harmonious relationship because your enterprises and initiatives are not just a boon for our state but, for all of Nigeria, Africa, and the world,” he posited.

Commending the organisers for their vision in highlighting and celebrating the impact of expatriates on Nigeria’s economy, Obasa encouraged the diverse guests to celebrate not only the winners but also the spirit of entrepreneurship.

He concluded, “Let us network, share ideas, and inspire one another as we continue to forge stronger ties within our diverse communities. Together, we can build a sustainable future that harnesses our collective strengths. With that, it gives me great honour to officially declare the Expatriates Business Awards open!

A serious accident involving a Toyota Camry and a commercial bus, commonly called Danfo, happened on Monday along the 3rd Mainland Bridge in Lagos, leaving many passengers injured.

Reports indicate the crash took place just before Adekunle Junction, heading towards Lagos Island on Monday.

The commercial bus reportedly somersaulted multiple times after the impact.

According to a statement from the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS), there were no fatalities in the accident.

RRS officials, including bikers and patrol teams, quickly arrived at the location to provide first aid and support to the injured passengers.

Officers from the Adekunle Police Division also responded promptly and are assisting with rescue efforts, while emergency agencies have been deployed to handle the situation and ensure the safe evacuation of victims.

The statement said, “A road accident between a Toyota Camry and a commercial bus Danfo has left several passengers injured on 3rd Mainland Bridge.

The accident occurred before Adekunle Junction, inward Lagos. The commercial bus sumersualting multiple times.

RRS biker and patrol vehicles are assisting in helping on giving first aid to the injured passengers, while men of the Adekunle Police Division are equally on ground, and are providing rescue support.”

The statement also noted, “Emergency services providers have been mobilised. No life loss in the unfortunate incident.

Free flow of vehicular movement has been restored and the ill-fated vehicles evacuated from the road.”