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Lagos Churches, Mosques Reopen Friday, Bars, Clubs Stay Closed —— Sanwo-Olu

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The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, says worship centres in the state will be allowed to reopen from Friday, August 7.

He said Muslim worshippers are allowed to begin their services from Friday while Christian worshippers could begin their Sunday services on August 9, noting that the permission applies to Churches that have their main worship days on Saturdays.

He, however, warned that the religious centres would only be allowed to operate at 50 per cent of their capacity, noting that the safety protocols released by the government must be strictly adhered to.

Worship centres in the state have been shut since March as part of measures to contain the spread of COVID-19.

In June after the Presidential Task Force on COVID-19 approved the reopening of worship centres, the state government on June 4 asked mosques to reopen from June 19, and churches from June 21.

But, at a press briefing on June 16, the governor cancelled the plan due to increasing COVID-19 cases.

Speaking at a press briefing on Saturday, Sanwo-Olu said, “Places of worship in Lagos State will be allowed to open from Friday, August 7 for our Muslim worshippers, and Sunday the 9th of August for Christian worshippers, but only at 50 per cent of their capacity. Churches whose main worship days fall on Saturdays are permitted to hold their services on Saturdays.”

He stressed that worship centres would not be permitted to have other services or fellowships outside of their main weekly services that hold once a week, but that they could schedule multiple services on their designated worship days. He said vigil remained prohibited till further notice.

Among the conditions to be met by the religious centres planning to reopen, he said persons above 65 were strongly discouraged from attending services and that the ‘No Facemask, No Entry’ policy must be maintained throughout the duration of services.

He added, “Regular cleaning and disinfection of facilities must be carried out to maintain clean and hygienic environments before and after every service. Appropriate screening equipment for COVID-19 symptoms such as a contactless temperature check must be available for entrants into the facility.

“It is mandatory to provide hand-washing facilities and sanitisers at the entry and exit points; national emergency response phone lines must be displayed prominently on the premises and handshakes, hugs and high fives are not permitted at gatherings.”

He stated that the use of stationary collection boxes and electronic methods for collection of the offering must be encouraged and that the flow of human traffic in and out of the premises must be conducted in an organised manner.”

Sanwo-Olu said the number of cases had been decreasing over the past two weeks, adding that from August 14, restaurants would be permitted to open for in-dining services while social clubs and recreational centres would also be allowed to open, on the proviso that they maintain a 50 per cent occupancy capacity and obtain Provisional Safety Compliance Certificate from the government.

He added that the permissible capacity for public gatherings had been increased from 20 to 50 persons, warning that the closure of all spas, bars, lounges, night clubs, cinemas, games arcades remain till another review before the end of the month.

On the reopening of schools, the governor said secondary schools would reopen for only exit classes from August 3 as planned, adding that all standard precautions must be put in place by school authorities. “The Lagos State Government will make face masks available to all schools to which this reopening exemption applies, for the duration of the reopening,” he added.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Environmental Services, Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources, Mrs Aderonke Odeneye, said the government had intensified the periodic fumigation/decontamination of all public secondary schools in the state.

A statement by the Director, Public Affairs, Kunle Adeshina, quoted Odeneye as saying that majority of the public secondary schools in the six educational districts, including all model colleges, had been reached.

It added, “The fumigation exercise which is ongoing, preparatory to resumption for terminal classes will continue after the West Africa Examination Council exams.”

While thanking frontline health workers; non-medical personnel like drivers, cleaners and attendants; monitoring and compliance teams and the private sector for their continuing sacrifice, support and courage, he said compliance with safety protocols remained important.

As of Friday, the governor said Lagos State had 15,150 confirmed cases, out of which 10,835 persons have been discharged and 194 persons have died as a result of the virus.

He added, “This leaves us with 1,813 active cases in community and 96 under management across various isolation centres in the state.”

He also said the Eti-Osa isolation centre had been shut down while the one in Agidingbi would soon be closed too.

“We now have two pathways through which confirmed cases are managed; either through our home-based strategy or in designated COVID care centres,” he added.

BIG STORY

Two Criminals Who Robbed, Attempted To Kill Lil-Kesh In Lagos Arrested In Kano

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The Kano State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of two suspects linked to an armed robbery and attempted murder case in Lagos.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Abdullahi Haruna, described the arrests as a major breakthrough made possible through intelligence gathering and community collaboration.

According to Haruna, the suspects — Mathew Adewole, 25, of Na’ibawa Quarters, and Mukhtar Muhammad, 31, of Unguwa Uku Quarters, Kano — were apprehended on September 11, 2025, at Na’ibawa Quarters.

During interrogation, Adewole reportedly confessed to assaulting one Lil-Kesh, a resident of Bera Estate, Chevron, Lagos, on August 19, 2025. The attack left the victim with severe injuries, including a deep neck wound.

Haruna further disclosed that the suspect compelled the victim to transfer ₦2,120,000 from his bank account via mobile phone to Muhammad’s account.

He added that, in line with directives from the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, the Kano Command has been strengthening its intelligence network and deepening community policing to outpace criminal elements.

The police spokesperson noted that the suspects have since been transferred to the Lagos State Police Command for further investigation and prosecution.

Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Bakori, praised the officers for their professionalism and acknowledged the role of the public in supporting police operations. He assured that the command will sustain efforts to maintain law and order across the state.

“The command remains committed to maintaining law and order, working closely with other security agencies and stakeholders to ensure a coordinated approach to combating crime,” the statement concluded.

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BIG STORY

How Police Tracked, Arrested Notorious Suspect John Samuel Who Shot, Robbed Gbenga Obama At His Epe Hideout

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Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have arrested a notorious armed robber and alleged hired assassin, John Samuel, 28, at his hideout in Epe.

The suspect, who hails from Akwa Ibom State, was picked up on September 19, 2025, around 2:00 pm, after weeks of surveillance.

Report has it that Samuel — recently released from prison on August 18 after serving a six-year jail term for armed robbery — had, the same day, shot and wounded popular Lagos socialite Gbenga Obama at Gbajobi Street, Allen Avenue, Ikeja. He then robbed him of a gold necklace and other valuables in broad daylight.

Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Babaseyi B. Oluseyi, described Samuel as “vicious and notorious,” noting that he was known to shoot victims before dispossessing them of valuables.

Oluseyi said CCTV footage of the August 18 incident captured Samuel firing at Obama with an English pistol, before fleeing with an accomplice who waited on a motorcycle. Obama, who sustained serious gunshot wounds, has since been treated and discharged.

The suspect reportedly confessed to selling the stolen jewelry for ₦4 million — far below its market value. Police say efforts are ongoing to arrest other members of his gang.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohudare Jimoh, commended the operatives for their gallantry and assured residents that the suspect would be prosecuted after investigations.

The command reiterated its commitment to the safety of Lagosians, warning that “the state has no hiding place for criminals.”

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BIG STORY

Road To 2027: We’re Ready To Join APC, Says Kwankwaso, Gives Condition

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The presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in the 2023 elections, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has expressed readiness to return to the All Progressives Congress (APC), but only on what he described as a “strong condition.”

Kwankwaso’s declaration ends months of speculation about his political future and has heightened tension within the ruling party and the wider political space.

The former Kano State governor made the remarks on Thursday while receiving Buhari Bakwana, a former political aide to ex-Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, who visited him alongside APC members from the 44 local government areas of Kano State.

He insisted that any talks of returning to APC or merging with it must clearly define what the NNPP stands to gain.
“If you are asking us to join APC, you must tell us what NNPP will gain,” he said.

Kwankwaso maintained that while the NNPP was open to discussions, it would not accept being “used and dumped.” He reminded the delegation of his role in establishing APC in 2013, saying he and his allies endured political persecution at the time.

“We have gubernatorial candidates in all the states and full structures nationwide. What will you offer them if we join?” he asked.
“We are ready to join APC under strong conditions and promises. We will not allow anyone to use us and later dump us.”

The former defence minister also recalled his frustrations with both APC and PDP in past alliances, accusing the two parties of breaching agreements.

“Eight years of APC under the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari gave us nothing, not even appreciation. In PDP, we asked for just a zonal party chairman, but they refused. We left peacefully, and today we are strong and have integrity,” he said.

His latest statement contrasts with his earlier remarks at the NNPP National Executive Council meeting, where he had pledged to remain with the party despite swirling rumours of his impending defection.

Reacting to Kwankwaso’s comments, the State Secretary of APC in Kano, Hon. Zakari Ibrahim Sarina, said the party would welcome him back if he abides by party principles.

“Kwankwaso can’t come to APC to control the party that has national spread. Remember, APC is not NNPP, which he established and controls,” Sarina said.

“We are ready to welcome Kwankwaso back to APC because his return is an added advantage to the ruling party. Another reason the party will be willing to have him is the peace and tranquillity in Kano. We need social and economic development in Kano,” he added.

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