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Lagos Government Clears Air, Says 103 Bodies Prepared For Mass Burial Not From Lekki Tollgate

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The bodies of 103 people who died during the #EndSARS protest in 2020 have been prepared for mass burial, the Lagos state government revealed on Sunday.

However, Olusegun Ogboye, the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Health, claimed in a statement that none of the remains had been taken from the Lekki tollgate.

“For the records, the Lagos State Environmental Health Unit picked up bodies in the aftermath of #EndSARS violence and community clashes at Fagba, Ketu, Ikorodu, Orile, Ajegunle, Abule-Egba, Ikeja, Ojota, Ekoro, Ogba, Isolo and Ajah areas of Lagos state,” Ogboye said.

“There was also a jailbreak at Ikoyi Prison. The 103 casualties mentioned in the document were from these incidents and NOT from Lekki Toll-gate as being alleged. For the avoidance of doubt, nobody was retrieved from the Lekki Toll Gate incident.”

Ogboye’s statement was in response to media reports citing a letter for the approval of funds for a mass burial for victims of the #EndSARS protest in 2020.

The letter dated July 19 by the public procurement agency disclosed that the state government engaged the service of Messrs Tos Funeral Ltd, a private firm, at the cost of N61,285,000 to bury 103 bodies that were identified as victims of the killings.

However, Ogboye said the content of the letter was being deliberately misinterpreted and sensationalized “to misinform the public, stir public sentiment and cause public disaffection against the Lagos State Government.”

He explained that the mass burial was being held because “nobody responded to claim any of the bodies” after the Chief Coroner through adverts invited members of the public who had lost loved ones or whose relatives had been declared missing between 19th and 27th October 2020.

“However, after almost three years, the bodies remain unclaimed, adding to the congestion of the morgues. This spurred the need to decongest the morgues, a procedure that follows very careful medical and legal guidelines in the event that a relative may still turn up to claim a lost relative years after the incident,” Ogboye said.

“Decongestion of our public morgues is a periodic and regular exercise approved by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to free up space in mortuaries that have a large number of unclaimed bodies.”

The EndSARS protest was a mass demonstration of Nigerian youths against police brutality and social injustice in different cities for about three weeks in October 2020.

While the protests were held in different locations, Lagos State, particularly, the Lekki Tollgate was the melting point for the protesters who ate, drank, prayed, and sang the Nigerian national anthem for days and nights until Tuesday, October 20, 2020, when Nigerian forces stormed the location and fired gunshots to disperse the protest.

 

BIG STORY

Made Kuti Releases Sophomore Album, ‘Chapter 1: Where Does Happiness Come From?’

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  • Set to hold listening party on July 27 at Afrikan Shrine

 

Grammy-nominated Nigerian Afrobeat multi-instrumentalist Omorinmade Anikulapo Kuti, popularly known as Made Kuti, has announced the release of his highly anticipated second album, ‘Chapter 1: Where Does Happiness Come From?.’

The highly anticipated album contains 13 songs and is available worldwide.

The sophomore album features socially conscious songs like ‘Take It All In Before The Lights Go Out,’ ‘I Won’t Run Away,’ and ‘Life As We Know It.’ Other songs are ‘Find My Way,’ ‘Pray,’ ‘Won Na Pa,’ ‘Our Own,’ ‘Wait And See,’ ‘You Can’t Hide,’ ‘Oya,’ ‘My Voice,’ ‘Story,’ and ‘After The Tears Flow.’ Made has encouraged fans and music enthusiasts to stream the album on all music platforms, embrace its powerful messages, and prepare for the exclusive listening party happening on Sunday, July 27, 2025 at the iconic Afrikan Shrine.

Building on the success of his debut For(e)word—a modern Afrobeat manifesto tackling issues like corruption and inequality—Made continues to showcase his talent as a singer, songwriter, composer, and multi-instrumentalist.

The album is coming three years after the release of his debut album, ‘For(e)word, a modern Afrobeat manifesto addressing issues like corruption, inequality, and police brutality. His debut album, which was released in a joint album, ‘Legacy+,’ alongside his father’s ‘Stop the Hate’ in 2022, earned him his first Grammy nomination for Best Global Music Album in 2022.

The upcoming event, FK Management noted, is not just about music – it’s a celebration of culture, creativity, and the next chapter in Made’s musical journey. Attendees are billed to experience an electrifying atmosphere filled with live performances, energetic dance, and a shared love for Afrobeat music.

It’s a rare opportunity for fans and music enthusiasts to connect directly with Made and immerse themselves in his new tracks within a vibrant, immersive setting.

As a proud third-generation Kuti, Made continues to push boundaries and elevate his craft, bringing the fire and passion that his legendary lineage is known for.

According to organizers FK Management, this promises to be a milestone moment for fans and music lovers alike—a night to remember.

Update HERE

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Natasha To Serve Out Suspension As Senate Enters Recess

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Two days after Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan was stopped from resuming her duties, the Nigerian Senate adjourned plenary on Thursday for its annual break, which will last until September 23, 2025.

As a result of the recess, the suspended Kogi senator will now complete the remainder of her suspension before the next plenary session.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was handed a six-month suspension on March 6, 2025, after being accused of misconduct and insubordination during the February 20, 2025, plenary when she refused a seat reassignment.

The Senate had cautioned that her suspension might be reviewed if she failed to offer a formal apology.

Her punishment stemmed from the findings of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions, which found her guilty after reviewing the complaints.

The suspension was due to end on September 6, 2025. However, the recess means she will serve the full term before the Senate returns.

Speaking to reporters on Tuesday after being denied entry into the Senate chamber, Akpoti-Uduaghan criticised the Senate’s action as unlawful and revealed plans to challenge it in court.

“Even the suspension ab initio was fraudulent—the document was faulty,” she said.

“Going forward, I will have a meeting with my legal team so they can proceed to the appellate court to seek interpretation of what just happened. I am a law-abiding citizen.”

She also accused Senate President Akpabio of exceeding his constitutional powers.

With the recess in place, the Senate will not reconvene until her suspension has lapsed.

During plenary, Senate President Godswill Akpabio announced the recess, describing it as “chamber reciprocity” since the House of Representatives had already started its break in line with the legislative calendar.

“We have started a new calendar that will take us to next year, June. And so it has fallen within this period for us to go on for a break to enable us to undertake major oversights,” Akpabio explained.

He stated that while plenary would be paused, committee activities should continue during the break.

“All necessary committees—the diaspora committee, committee on reparation, committee on interior and others—this is the best time for you to undertake visits to prisons and all that.

“Do all your reports and make them available as soon as we come back,” he directed.

Akpabio encouraged senators to carry out oversight functions across the country, emphasising that their legislative responsibilities must continue.

“You are moving from plenary for the next few weeks, but you are not stopping your legislative functions, because that’s what your people elected you to do. Members are expected to travel to Sokoto, everywhere, to observe the road repairs that are going on.

“By the time we resume, you are expected to bring your reports, committee by committee, for us to look into. I want to wish you safe travels and for all of us to return in good health,” he added.

Akpabio also announced the passing of Prof Janet Plang, wife of Senator Diket Plang.

He said arrangements had been made for senators to attend her burial in Plateau State on Friday, with a flight scheduled to leave Abuja at 8 am.

Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele expressed appreciation to senators for their dedication to legislative duties.

“We thank all our colleagues for all they have done to ensure that the business of lawmaking on behalf of the government and people of Nigeria has progressed smoothly,” Bamidele said.

He then proposed postponing all remaining items on the order paper to the next sitting, which was unanimously accepted by the Senate.

Natasha delayed at airport

Separately, the suspended senator was reportedly held up at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja last Thursday while attempting to board a flight to the United Kingdom.

A family source disclosed that immigration officials claimed she had been placed on a watch list by order of the National Assembly leadership.

“She was told that the leadership of the National Assembly requested that she be considered a flight risk and placed on a watch list,” the source said.

“We are wondering why they treated her that way, given there is no court order restricting her movement and she has never missed any of her court appearances.”

Eyewitnesses said Akpoti-Uduaghan looked distressed and made several phone calls before being allowed to travel after her passport was stamped.

Speaking shortly before departure, the senator confirmed the incident, saying, “The aircraft is about to take off.”

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BIG STORY

It’s Not Bad Idea To Abandon Sinking Ship, Coalition Of Confusion  — President  Tinubu

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In what appeared to be a subtle jab at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC), President Bola Tinubu encouraged more opposition politicians to align with the ruling party.

Speaking at the APC NEC meeting held in Abuja on Thursday, President Tinubu stated that the APC welcomes defecting politicians, noting that “it’s not a bad idea to abandon a sinking ship and be absent from a coalition of confusion.”

He also acknowledged the recent defection of Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, from the PDP to the APC.

“With the space that we have created to allow aspiring people to join us, our doors are still open and we should embrace them wholeheartedly,” the president said.

President Tinubu made these remarks shortly after the APC appointed the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Prof. Nentawe Yiltwada, as the new National Chairman of the party.

Yiltwada takes over from Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, who stepped down on June 27.

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