All posts by Mr Oladapo Udom

Satisfaction
By Oladapo Udom
Lagos, March 26, 2020 (NAN) Hakeem Odumosu, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Police Command, has expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance with the directive of the state government to close all major markets.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana, made this known in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos on Thursday.

Elkana said that Odumosu went round major markets and businesses in the state to monitor compliance with the directive issued by Lagos State Government on Tuesday.

He said the directive was for closure of all markets and stores, except markets selling food items, water, medicine, pharmacies, medical equipment and other related essential life -saving products.

The directive took effect on Thursday, March 26, 2020.

“The CP visited eateries, financial institutions, telecommunications outlets, markets dealing in essential commodities and markets dealing in non-essential commodities within the mainland and Island.

“Markets dealing in food stuffs, medicines, medical equipment and other life-saving products were seen carrying out their businesses unhindered.

“All other markets were completely closed by the operators in obedience to the state government’s directive,” he said.

Elkana said that some businesses placed notice on their entrances informing their esteemed customers of the closure.

He said that customers of corporate organisations not affected by the closure order were seen observing the guidelines regarding social distancing and spacing.

“Customers in eateries visited were seen using take away services and not having more than 25 persons at a time,” the police spokesman said.

He said that Odumosu had a stopover at various bus stops where he noticed passengers sitting side by side in buses without recourse to social distancing guidelines.

“Odumosu advised motorists to put two passengers per row instead of the usual four, to avoid body contact,” he said.

Elkana said that the commissioner of police appreciated Lagosians for their patriotism in obeying the safety regulations put in place by government.

“Together we will stop the spread of COVID-19.

“For information or complaints regarding non-compliance, call the following numbers 09010512285, 09010512286, 09010512287 and 09010512288,” he said. (NAN)
OUU/CHOM/AJA
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Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Adeleye Ajayi

Store

By Oladapo Udom

Lagos, March 26, 2020 (NAN) The Aguda Police Station on Thursday locked-up two cement storesvin Irone Avenue in Aguda, Surulere Local Government Area, Lagos State.

The stores were said to have belonged to one  Lady Kafaya  Oladimeji  with the name: Ajijola Anobi Building Materials.

A  reliable source from the station  told the New Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos under condition of anonymity that the owner of the store had failed to comply with the Lagos State Government’s directive to close all non-essential stores.

NAN reports that the LASG had given the directives to prevent the spread of Coronavirus known as COVID-19 in the state.

The source said that while  a police team was on patrol  early on Thursday  to monitor the  level of compliance  with the government’s directives by residents of the area, the team  discovered that the cement store was opened.

The source said  that the sales’ girl inside the stores fled on sighting the police team.

The source said, “This prompted us to lock  up  the stores with our own padlocks pending when its  owner  will come to the police  station to vindicate self.

“We have orders from the Lagos  State Police Command to ensure that stores dealing with non essentials be closed down to avoid  a further spread of COVID-19,” the source said.

The source said that the police was on alert to ensure that business owners adhere to the Lagos State’s directives  to ensure that the spread of the virus is brought to a minimum in the state.

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NAN reports that police  patrol vehicles and personnel were observed at strategic locations around Aguda, Surulere LGA to maintain law and order.

Meanwhile,  the owner of the stores, Mrs Kafaya Oladimeji, also known as Lady “K”, said that she did not know that the directive affected the goods she was selling.

Oladimeji said that she had instructed  her sales girl to open the store and  sell some merchandise to a potential customer, only for the police patrol team to show  up and closed  her stores.

” I did not know that the directive will affect us. I am appealing to them to please return our stuffs.

“I was just trying to make a honest living so that my family can find something  to eat before the entire system shuts down,” she said.

However, efforts to reach the DSP Bala Elkana,  the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) was not successful as at the time of filing this report.

He had not responded to messages sent to his cell phone number and did not return calls made to the same phone. (NAN)

OUU/PAD
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Edited by Peter Dada

Arrest

By Oladapo Udom and Moses Omorogieva

Lagos, March 23, 2020 (NAN) The Lagos State Police Command on Monday said that three pastors were arrested but later released on Sunday for allegedly conducting church services in deviance to the Lagos State Government {LASG}’s  order.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Mohammed Ali in charge of Operations, Lagos Command, confirmed the arrest of the pastors to the News Agency of Nigeria {NAN}.

Ali said that one of the pastors arrested is from one of the Pentecostal Churches.

He said that the pastors were not detained but warned  to comply with the government’s directive to prevent further spread of coronavirus.

He said, “We did not hold our weekly prayers in the mosque at the police headquarters because we had to comply with the directive of the Lagos State Government.

“I also implore churches and other religious organisations to follow suit,” he said.

Ali said that the operations to ensure the public complies with the state government’s directive would be a continuous one.

He warned that any religious leaders caught disobeying the directive of the state government would face the consequences.

NAN reports that LASG last week through a directive put a hold on social gatherings of people above 50 in number; including church services and mosque meetings.

The government said that it was part of its efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19 in the state. (NAN)

OUU/MIO/KOLE/PAD
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Edited by Remi Koleoso/Peter Dada

Enforcement

By Oladapo Udom

Lagos, March 21, 2020 (NAN) The Lagos State Police Command has embarked on massive enforcement of the ban order on social or religious gatherings as a measure to prevent the spread of  coronavirus (Covid-19) in the state

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana said this in a statement on Saturday in Lagos.

Elkana said exercise was in compliance with directives issued by both Federal and Lagos State Governments on prevention of the spread of COVID-19

He said that the command had deployed adequate personnel across the state to ensure that the orders are fully obeyed.

“The order imposed bans on social gatherings such as, wedding ceremonies, naming ceremonies, burial ceremonies, parties, clubs and religion gatherings of people not be more than 50.

“Commercial vehicles carrying passengers above capacity (overloading) are also part of this order.

“Members of the public are encouraged to avoid overcrowding themselves at bus stops, market places, business places and scene of incidents,” he said.

Elkana said that the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State,  Hakeem Odumosu, called on Lagosians to obey the safety regulations put in place for the benefit of everyone.

”We must be alive and healthy before socio-economic activities would be effective.

“The command has rolled out its medical team to market places for awareness creation and police detention facilities to safeguard the safety of suspects.

“The Commissioner of Police has ordered the immediate release of suspects arrested for minor offences as part of preventive measures.

“Together we can prevent the spread of Covid 19,” Elkana said.

The police spokesman said that anybody wishing to give information or complaints regarding COVID-19 should call the following toll free number 080097000010 or text Coronavirus to 24453. (NAN)

OUU/FF/IAA

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Edited by Fela Fashoro/Isaac Aregbesola

Murder

By Oladapo Udom

March 15, 2020 (NAN) The Bariga Police Station has arrested a fake soldier, Azeez Ali, 40, of No. 5, Morgan Way, along Igando Ikotun Road, Lagos  State for allegedly attempting to kill one Sunday Amoo.

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana, said this in a statement he released to newsmen on Sunday.

Elkana said that Amoo, 42, of No.27, Community Str.,  Oworoshoki , a suburb of Lagos almost had his manhood chopped off by Ali over a minor argument.

“The suspect was arrested at a pin-down point at Berger Bus stop, along  IBB Way in Bariga.

“He impersonated a Naval Officer and allegedly used a military Jack knife to cut the penis of Amoo over a mere argument, resulting in multiple deep cuts,” he said.

The police official said that the victim had been taken to the Lagos State University  Teaching Hospital( LASUTH) where he  is responding to treatment.

“Investigation is ongoing and the suspect will be charged to court after it,” Elkana said. (NAN)

OUU/PAD
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Edited by Peter Dada

Explosion

By Oladapo Udom

Lagos, March 15, 2020 (NAN) The Lagos State  Police Command  on Sunday said that it had cordoned off the area where an explosion took place within Adeshoba Community in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of  Lagos State.

The  State Police Public Relations Officer ( PPRO),DSP Bala Elkana, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the command had provided  adequate security   to safeguard lives  and property of residents around the area.

Elkana also said that investigations were still ongoing to ascertain the cause of the explosion, as well as the number of casualties involved.

” We are yet to ascertain the number of casualties involved from the explosion.

“However, all  relevant and essential emergency agencies  are on ground to maintain  law and order  in the area,” he said.

NAN reports that the explosion  which occurred on Sunday morning  damaged  roofs, windows and doors of several private and public buildings  as well as windscreen of cars parked around the explosion site. (NAN)

OUU/EOB/PAD

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Edited by Edith Bolokor/Peter Dada

Death

By Oladapo Udom

Lagos, March 9, 2020 (NAN)  Two persons  had been confirmed dead from a collapsed fence that happened at the slaughter section of the  Lagos  State Abattoir at Oko-Oba.

Also,  eight others who were said to have sustained various degrees of injury had been treated at a hospital and discharged.

The  incident was said to have  happened last Wednesday.

The Divisional Police Officer(DPO) in charge of Abattoir Police Station, CSP Kenneth Iyayi, confirmed  the incident to journalists on Monday.

Iyayi  said that  only two people died from the incident while eight others sustained various degrees of injury from the collapsed building.

Iyayi said that those that were injured were promptly taken to Merit Hosptal at Oko-Oba and the General Hospital, Ile-Epo in Oke-Odo area of Lagos State for treatment.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) who visited the scene observed that   the debris of the collapsed  fence were yet to be cleared  while the ‘slaughtering of cows’ business was in progress.

Ishiaku Onatunde, a slaughterhouse worker,  told  newsmen on Monday that the incident that occured last Wednesday claiming the lives of people was due to the weakened foundation of the perimeter fence.

“Ideally, the government should have constructed the fence on a strong foundation knowing that we use a lot of water in our daily routine as slaughterers,” he said.

Onatunde said that the workers of the slaughterhouse had  met with the management of the abattoir, Harmony Abattoir Investment Limited,to ask for compensation for the victims  of the collapsed fence

He, however,  said that the managers of the abattoir said that the company  had no resources on ground to compensate the victims.

Also, the  Managing Director of Harmony Abattoir Investment, simply identified  as Mr Bello  confirmed the death of the persons as a result  of the collapsed fence.

Bello, however, said that he could not give more details about the situation, adding that would be done by the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture.

Meanwhile, the Headof the  Public Affairs Office in the Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Jide Lawal,  could not  give an accurate account of the incident.

He said that he was not authorised to give details  of the incident.

Lawal said that he would have to be authorised by the Commissioner for the  Ministry of Agriculture before he could speak with the press on the matter.

He said that the commissioner  was attending an important state executive meeting when newsmen visited the ministry. (NAN)

OUU/DEB/PAD
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Edited by Debo Oshundun/Peter Dada

Arrest

By Oladapo Udom

Lagos, March 8, 2020 (NAN) The Police in Lagos have arrested three suspects alleged to have been responsible for  the removal of a human skull from a cemetery for ritual purposes.

A statement issued by DSP Bala Elkana, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Lagos State on Sunday, said policemen from Area ‘E’ Command, Festac arrested the suspects.

Elkana named them as:  Dauda Tijani, 42; of No. 23, Omomwunmi St., Orege Ajegunle; Olawale Shodolamu, 70; a herbalist and Seun Falana, 37; a staff member  of Trinity Cemetery in  Ajegunle.

He said that  Tijani was intercepted at Alakija Bus stop along  the Lagos-Badagry Expressway by the police, who found on him a black polythene bag containing a human skull.

“The suspect confessed that he was sent by the herbalist, Shodolamu, to collect the skull from a cemetery’s attendant.

“The herbalist claimed that he bought the human skull from Falana at the sum of N10, 000 only.

“The suspected herbalist usually grinds the human skull together with other substances to prepare herbs and charms for his customers,’’ Elkana alleged.

He said that the third suspect confessed that  he had been  digging  graves in the past  to remove human skulls  and sell to herbalists.

“Investigation is ongoing. The suspects will soon be charged to court,’’ the police spokesman said. (NAN)

OUU/JEY/PAD
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Edited by Johnson Eyiangho/Peter Dada

Killing
By Oladapo Udom
Lagos, March 8, 2020 (NAN) The Lagos State Police Command says it has arrested a 16-year-old girl for allegedly stabbing a 49-year-old security guard, Babatunde Ishola, to death while trying to rape her.
This was contained in a statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bala Elkana, and made available to newsmen on Sunday.
Elkana said that the suspect, of No. 10, Olalemide Street, Aboru, said that the deceased, who was her father’s friend, invited her to his house to assist him in fetching water, as he lived in the house alone.
“She has always been helping him with house chores and while she was helping out with the water on Saturday, he attempted raping her.
“She picked a knife from the room and stabbed him. The suspect was taken to hospital for medical and forensic examinations,” he said.
Elkana added that homicide detectives from Oke Odo police station visited the crime scene at Ogundele Street, Aboru, where the corpse of the man was found lying in the pool of his own blood.
“The corpse was evacuated to a hospital for post mortem examination. The suspect was arrested and the knife she used in stabbing the deceased person was recovered,” the police spokesman said.
Elkana said that the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Hakeem Odumosu, had ordered the immediate transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Yaba, for discreet investigation. (NAN)
OUU/WAS
Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

Demolition

By Oladapo Udom

Lagos, March 2, 2020 (NAN) Operatives of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit (Taskforce) have demolished illegal structures during  an over-night enforcement  at Mile 2, along the Lagos- Badagry Expressway in Lagos State.

The Chairman of the Agency, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi, said this in a statement signed by the agency’s Head of Public Affairs Unit, Mr Adebayo Taofik, and made available to newsmen in Lagos on Monday.

Egbeyemi said that the  illegal structures comprising of shanties, mechanic workshops, kiosks and commercial bus garages around two Government Schools in Mile 2 were demolished by the task force.

Egbeyemi said that the agency had earlier issued a seven-day ‘Removal Notice’ to occupants of the structures to vacate the entire area as well as the vicinity of the schools.

“The removal exercise is sequel to numerous complaints and petitions by residents, particularly the management of the Public Schools; Imoye High School and Amuwo Odofin Junior Secondary School.

“They had lodged complaints to the task force office that criminal elements had turned the area into hideouts for carrying out their nefarious activities.

“Such is making the environment unpleasant for living or learning,” the chairman said.

Egbeyemi said that the illegal structures were also identified as harbouring criminal elements who rob unsuspecting members of the public of their valuables.

He said that they also served  as outlets for the sales of illegal and illicit  drugs.

“Lagos State is the economic heartbeat of Nigeria. As such, the zero tolerance for all forms of crimes and criminality by the present administration will be sustained.

“Therefore, I implore all occupants of illegal structures and shanties around public schools across the state to, immediately, remove them before the exercise reaches their various areas.

“Anyone caught will be seriously dealt with in accordance with the law,” he said.

The chairman said that the agency also had commenced the  verification of the claims by those affected by the demolition.

Egbeyemi, however, said that those affected and have  legal documentations would be paid compensation that would be  approved by Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu. (NAN)

OUU/EOB/PAD

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Edited by Edith Bolokor/Peter Dada