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Protesting Lagos Driver Set Ablaze By Government Agents, Family And Colleague Insist

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A family member and a colleague of a bus driver, identified as Ayobami, aka Ero, have denied that he set himself ablaze after his vehicle was impounded around 7 and 8 Bus Stop, Airport Road, Lagos State.

The aggrieved family and colleague, who spoke to our correspondent during a visit to the area on Wednesday, alleged that some government agents set Ayobami ablaze.

A colleague, who identified himself as Adeola, said he was conveying passengers to a destination when the incident happened, adding that he saw the state officials impounding vehicles at the bus stop.

During the enforcement, Adeola explained that one of the area boys working with the task force dragged the steering with Ayobami, who refused to release his vehicle.

In a desperate attempt to impound the vehicle, the eyewitness said the area boy reached for petrol, poured it on Ayobami, and used a lighter to set the father of two ablaze.

He said, “He did not set himself ablaze; how can somebody who is normal set himself ablaze? It was the area boys working with the task force that poured petrol on him and used a lighter to set him on fire.

“It was done to make him get down from the bus. At first, they threatened him with the petrol, but he refused to get down, so they poured it on him and threatened to burn him, but he refused again.

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“It was when the area boys were switching on and off the lighter that the fuel attracted the fire and his body started burning. Even the area boy who was dragging with him at the front seat quickly jumped down and fled alongside the task force officers.”

It was gathered that the victim, who sustained serious burns in the face, chest, stomach, back, and arms, was rushed to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja.

A relative, who identified himself as Baba Roqeeb, confirmed Adeola’s account of the incident, adding that doctors were battling to save Ayobami’s life.

He said, “Immediately he got burnt, his conductor, Rotimi, called me. But when I rushed to the scene of the incident, I was told that they already rushed him to Makinde Police Station.

“I quickly rushed down there but was told they already left for the task force office at Bolade, Oshodi. When I got there, the policemen detained me in a cell when they knew I was there because of Ayobami.

“I asked why they detained me, but they said they heard we were trying to burn the office like it happened during #EndSARS. They released me when they needed a family member to accompany him to a hospital.”

Our correspondent saw Ayobami’s vehicle parked close to his house around Aji Camp, Ajao Estate.

Black patches were seen on the roof of the driver’s side, indicating that the front seat was burnt.

The Chairman of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Enforcement Unit (task force), CSP Shola Jejeloye, in a statement on Wednesday, distanced officials of the agency from the incident.

Jejeloye said at the time of the incident, his men were still at their base, adding that some imposters were using the name of the agency to perpetrate crimes.

He said, “Investigations and accounts of persons who were present at the scene of the incident have categorically revealed that the driver, one Mr. Ayo aka Eru, poured petrol on himself to scare security operatives from enforcing the traffic law which he violated. After the operatives left, luck ran out on him and some of the hoodlums present mistook him for one of the security operatives and set him ablaze.

 “Let me emphasize here that for us as an agency of government, we believe that it is better for us to allow an offender to go unharmed than to cause an injury.”

The state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, said the state Commissioner of Police had ordered an investigation into the incident.

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Obi, Amaechi’s Fight For Ticket Can Lead To ADC’s Collapse — Primate Ayodele

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The Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, has warned that the struggle for the African Democratic Congress presidential ticket between former Rivers State governor, Rotimi Amaechi, and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, could result in the collapse of the coalition.

He made this statement during the unveiling of his annual prophecy book titled “Warnings To The Nations (2025/2026 edition)” on July 5, 2025.

Ayodele, who had earlier predicted that ADC would become the coalition’s platform, stated that although the movement is “divine,” it may collapse due to politicians with “selfish interests.”

He said, “The ADC coalition is divine, has the capacity to pull up something great in 2027 but politicians with selfish interests can collapse it.

“I am seeing Peter Obi and Rotimi Amaechi having a public fallout due to the presidential ticket of the ADC before 2027.”

He also mentioned that both Obi and Amaechi could leave the coalition because of the presidential ticket.

Ayodele stated, “If Peter Obi doesn’t get the presidential ticket, he will pull out of the coalition.

“Like I said, the coalition is divine but humans can jeopardise the movement.

“They need to be careful.”

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Peter Obi’s Claims About Students’ Death Misleading — Auchi Poly

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The Federal Polytechnic, Auchi, has rejected the claims made by former presidential candidate Peter Obi regarding the alleged deaths of two students during the violence that disrupted the student union election last Saturday.

Obi had posted on his X handle (formerly Twitter) alleging that the unrest during the election resulted in the deaths of two students and injuries to several others.

However, in a statement on Tuesday, the polytechnic described Obi’s claims as false, misleading, and baseless.

PUNCH Online had earlier reported that some students sustained injuries after violence broke out during the student union government elections.

In a viral video circulated on Sunday, students were seen scaling the school fence as gunfire echoed in the background.

The video also showed smoke at the scene, suggesting tear gas was used, while some youths wielded knives to scare others away.

Responding to Obi’s claims, the institution’s Director of Public Relations, Angela Egele, said security operatives were adequately present during the election.

“The attention of the management of Auchi Polytechnic has been drawn to a statement credited to Mr. Peter Obi, wherein he alleged that the recently held Student Union Government (SUG) elections at the institution resulted in the death of two students and injuries to several others due to gunfire,” she said.

Quoting Obi’s post, the statement noted, “I watched the heartbreaking video that showed students in Auchi Polytechnic in Edo State running for their lives as they WERE BEING SHOT AT during their student election yesterday, which left 2 students dead and several injured…”

Egele denied the allegations, stating, “The Management categorically states that these claims are false, misleading, and completely unfounded.

“For the avoidance of doubt, no student was shot, injured, or killed during the electoral process, which was subsequently declared inconclusive due to observed irregularities.”

She explained that the election was monitored by multiple security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Police, Civil Defence Corps, State Security Service, Mobile Police, and local vigilante groups.

The institution urged the public to disregard Obi’s statement.

“Subsequently, we urge the general public, stakeholders, and members of the press to disregard this misinformation.

“Auchi Polytechnic remains committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for all students and staff.”

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US Cuts Nigerian Non-Immigrant Visas To Three Months, Single Entry

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The United States Department of State has updated its non-immigrant visa policy for Nigerian citizens.

In a press release from the US Embassy in Abuja on Tuesday, it was stated that “most non-immigrant and non-diplomatic visas issued to citizens of Nigeria will be single-entry visas with a three-month validity period.”

The embassy confirmed that this new restriction takes immediate effect.

However, it clarified that “those US non-immigrant visas issued before July 8, 2025, will retain their status and validity.”

The statement noted that this change is part of the Department’s global visa reciprocity process, which the embassy described as “a continuous process and is subject to review and change at any time, such as increasing or decreasing permitted entries and duration of validity.”

The US explained that the policy update aims to “protect the integrity of US immigration systems.”

It also stated that “these standards are based on global technical and security benchmarks.”

According to the embassy, efforts are ongoing with Nigerian authorities to meet these standards.

“The US Mission is working with the Government of Nigeria to ensure that Nigeria can meet the criteria,” the statement said.

The embassy cited examples of these benchmarks, including “Secure Travel Documents: Ensuring countries issue secure travel documents with verified traveler identities.

Visa Overstay Management: Implementing measures to limit overstays by travelers on US visas, and Information Sharing: Sharing relevant security and/or criminal record information to protect public safety.”

Despite the updated policy, the embassy reaffirmed its commitment to its relationship with Nigeria.

“The United States values its longstanding relationship with Nigeria and remains committed to expanding our partnership based on mutual respect, shared security priorities, and economic opportunity, keeping both our countries safer and stronger,” the statement read.

It also expressed support for Nigeria’s ongoing reforms, stating, “We commend the ongoing efforts by the Government of Nigeria’s immigration and security agencies to meet standards of international best practices.”

The embassy urged Nigerian travelers to comply with visa terms.

“Nigerian travelers are encouraged to respect and adhere to the terms of their visas, and ensure travel documents are authentic, accurate, and up to date,” it said.

The statement concluded by reaffirming the US commitment to engagement with Nigeria.

“The United States remains a committed partner in deepening people-to-people ties with Nigeria via business, educational, and cultural exchanges.

We look forward to continued cooperation at all levels with the Nigerian public and government officials to ensure safe and lawful travel between the United States and all countries,” it said.

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