Category Nigeria News

In a coordinated intelligence-led operation, the South-West Zonal Office of the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, working alongside the Department of State Services (DSS), Kwara State Command, has intercepted seven trucks suspected of illegally transporting lithium ore within the region.

The Zonal Mine Officer for the South-West, Engineer Ganiyu Ajibade, revealed that the crackdown followed credible intelligence received on Thursday, 8th January 2026, indicating that a convoy of 12 trucks had been mobilised to remove lithium ore from an active mining site in Saki, Oyo State.

Acting swiftly, Ajibade said the Ministry then engaged the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and DSS in Oyo State, and directed his colleagues in Kwara and Ogun to mobilise their surveillance teams to monitor and track the movement of the trucks carrying the products in their respective states.

The operation revealed that the convoy departed Saki at 11:30 PM on 8th January, reached Igbeti early Friday morning, and continued towards Ilorin, Kwara State by 7:00 PM.

Seven trucks were then apprehended between 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM along the Okoolowo–Eyenkorin Expressway in Kwara, adding that one of the drivers escaped, abandoning his vehicle, while the others were taken into custody.

Upon questioning, the arrested drivers were said to have admitted they were hired by an individual to transport the lithium ore, and that their operations were accompanied by a mine marshal personnel in Abuja.

All accompanying documents issued at the mining site were recovered during the arrest, according to the statement.

READ ALSO: Police Confirm Benue Attack, Say Four Persons Killed

Engineer Ajibade stressed that the operation reflected the directives of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr. Dele Alake, who has maintained a zero-tolerance policy against illegal mining.

Founder, The Hope Center Project, Eniabitobi Kuyinu, has castigated the Lagos State Government for exceeding what she described as the agreed 30-metre mark in the ongoing demolition in Makoko. 

The demolition occurred a few weeks after the government took out more than 250 buildings at Mile 12, displacing thousands of residents.

The waterfront community has repeatedly faced forced evictions and government-led demolitions.

While the government has cited urban development as the reason for the exercise, residents and civil society organisations have called for alternatives to be provided for vulnerable residents.

Speaking as a guest during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, Kuyinu noted that the government took the demolition beyond what was promised to the community.

“The demolition was to focus on demolishing those houses under the power line as far as 30 meters. The places were already marked; however, the demolition has gone beyond that 30 meters mark to 100meters, clearing almost all the structures on the water.

“There was a request to remove the people from 30 metres or so from under the power line.”

According to Kuniyu, “There were conversations with the baale and the need for safety for the people during the exercise. So the 30 metres mark was agreed upon.”

She noted that the people were not aware that the demolition would happen at the time it started.

“So it came suddenly. What they were aware of was the 30 metres.

“But right now, there is chaos and confusion, particularly because there has also been loss of lives, as I have been told by the community,” Kuyinu alleged.

She further alleged that a resident by the name Tobi had been “whisked away” because he was trying to defend his home and community. He was trying to say that the demolition was not what was agreed on. He is yet to be returned.

“That is the current situation. The exercise has not stopped. And it is sadder because it actually started just before Christmas and till the New Year. So they have actually not had a good end of the year,” Kuniyu explained.

READ ALSO: Customs Release New Operating Standards For Courier Companies

She, however, noted that there may be some misunderstanding in the conversation with the government.

The police authorities in Benue have confirmed the attack on Otobi community in the Otukpo Local Government Area of the state.

Gunmen had stormed the community in the early hours of Tuesday, killing five people, according to information earlier gathered by Channels Television.

Among the victims is a House of Assembly candidate for Otukpo-Akpa State Constituency on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 general election, Igbabe Ochi.

However, in a statement on Tuesday, the Command’s spokesman, Udeme Edet, said four persons were killed in the attack, contrary to media reports.

“We can confirm that an incident occurred earlier today at Otobi-Akpa. Tragically, four individuals have lost their lives,” the Command’s spokesman said.

READ ALSO: Bandits Kill Five In Fresh Attack On Benue Community

He commiserated with the families of the victims, assuring the Command’s commitment in bring the attackers to justice.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the family and loved ones affected by this incident.

“Investigation is in progress, and efforts are being made to arrest the perpetrators to face justice,” Edet stated.

The attack followed a Sunday night kidnapping attempt at Ekwu-Ora’Odaba in Otobi, foiled by the community volunteers’ guards commander,  Ocheme Jackson, and his team, prompting a high security alert in the community.

The Edo State Government has postponed the resumption date of all public and private schools in Edo Central Senatorial District.

The District, which is the hometown of Governor Monday Okpebholo, has witnessed a couple of security crises recently.

In a statement on Monday, the state Commissioner for Education, Dr Paddy Iyamu, said the postponement was until further notice, to enable the state government address prevailing exigencies and improve the welfare and safety of pupils.

“The new date of resumption will be duly communicated to the public in due course,” the Commissioner said.

“Parents, guardians, and all education stakeholders within Edo Central Senatorial District are kindly requested to take note of this development and comply accordingly.”

READ ALSO: Tears As Court Orders Remand Of Arrested Ekpoma Protesters At Edo Correctional Centre

The development was after last Saturday’s peaceful protest over insecurity and kidnapping in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, which turned violent.

Hoodlums had hijacked the protest, blocked a major highway, disrupted commercial activities, and attacked traders at the livestock market, where goats were killed and cows beaten, scenes captured in viral videos.

The attackers also invaded and vandalised the palace of the Onojie of Ekpoma, Zaiki Anthony Abumere II, an action strongly condemned by Governor Monday Okpebholo.

On Monday, the governor, accompanied by top government officials, the Commissioner of Police, Monday Agbonika, and leaders of the All Progressives Congress, visited the palace to assess the level of destruction.

Several vehicles, canopies, chairs, doors, and windows were damaged, while goods belonging to the monarch’s wife were also destroyed.

Describing the invasion as criminal and unacceptable, Okpebholo said protests must never be used as a cover for lawlessness.

Former President of the Nigerian Medical Association, Francis Faduyile, has warned against media trial in the case involving popular Nigerian author, Chimamanda Adichie, and Euracare, a hospital in Lagos. 

Adichie lost her 21-month-old son in the early hours of January 7 following an emergency during a medical procedure at the medical facility.

The author had accused Euracare Hospital of negligence, alleging that her son’s death was the result of “criminal negligence” by the attending anaesthesiologist.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, Faduyile, a Professor of Pathology and Forensic Medicine at the Lagos State University, wondered why the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MCDN), the regulatory body of medical and dental practice in the country, expected to investigate the allegation by Adichie, has not been set up.

He called on the authorities to set up the Council as soon as possible.

READ ALSO: Agbakoba Calls For Probe Of Chimamanda’s Son’s Death, Demands Health Reforms

“It is important for our populace to know that there are different ways you can take charge of cases of medical negligence rather than going to the media,” Faduyile said.

“Every profession has its own ethics and regulations. Let us follow the process. Sometimes it may be long and torturous, but can you blame the populace? It may be difficult because they have lost a loved one and they are in deep grief.

“I can tell you that the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, if given the necessary support base, would do what is necessary, and it would strengthen the medical profession in this country.

“We need to call on the government. Why are you hesitating to set up the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria? This is over one year. What is the reason? There is no reason. Almost all the members there are statutory.”

Legal Notice

Meanwhile, the celebrated author has served Euracare Hospital in Lagos with a legal notice, alleging that medical negligence and professional impropriety led to the death of her son.

The family had alleged that Nkanu died due to medical negligence on the part of Euracare Hospital.

In a legal notice dated 10 January, issued by the law firm of Kemi Pinheiro, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the couple accused Euracare Hospital, its anaesthesiologist, and attending staff of breaching their duty of care during a series of medical procedures.

The toddler died in the early hours of 7 January, after being transferred for an echocardiogram, brain MRI, lumbar puncture, and insertion of a central line. These procedures were preparatory steps for a planned medical evacuation to the United States.

The notice claims that young Nkanu, who was sedated with propofol, developed severe complications during transfer within the hospital.

The parents alleged inadequate monitoring, improper dosing, lack of supplemental oxygen, insufficient medical personnel, and delays in responding to his deteriorating condition.

Lagos Wades In

Worried by the situation, the Lagos State Government has ordered an investigation into the death.

In a statement earlier, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Health, Kemi Ogunyemi,  said the Health Facility Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (HEFAMAA) had visited the facility and begun a comprehensive review of all reports and allegations.

The agency said it would work with the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and other relevant bodies to ensure a credible investigation.

The Ogun State government has debunked a report circulating that it has chosen a particular candidate among the 95 people jostling to become the next Awujale of Ijebu land.

In a statement on Monday, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Ganiyu Hamzat, said the government warned that it would not waste time to prosecute any individual or group found fabricating, promoting, or circulating such claims under relevant laws.

He also threatened to invoke Section 23(2) of the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State, 2021, against anyone parading themselves as Awujale-elect before the selection process is completed.

The warning comes barely hours after the Fusengbuwa ruling house, the ruling house to produce the next Awujale, conducted its nomination meeting with 95 people, consisting of 94 princes and a princess, who emerged as the contestants for the throne.

READ ALSO: 95 Candidates Emerge For Vacant Awujale Stool

Hamzat warned that the deliberate spread of false information, misinformation, or inciting publications capable of causing tension, disaffection, or breach of the peace in Ijebuland and Ogun State will not be tolerated.

“Ogun State Government has noted with serious concern reports circulating in sections of the media and on social media platforms,” he said.

“These reports falsely claim that a particular candidate has been selected for the vacant stool of the Awujale of Ijebuland.

“The public should note that the selection process for the Awujale is governed strictly by customary law, established chieftaincy declarations, and the extant laws of Ogun State.

“The Government remains fully committed to upholding due process, fairness, neutrality, and respect for the traditions of ljebuland.

“The Government warns that the deliberate spread of false information, misinformation, or inciting publications capable of causing tension, disaffection, or breach of the peace in Ijebuland and Ogun State will not be tolerated.

“Any individual or group found fabricating, promoting, or circulating such claims will face investigation and prosecution under the law.”

The Commissioner called on members of the public to avoid actions that could undermine peace, order, and the integrity of our traditional institutions.

He also called on the media, opinion leaders, and all stakeholders to act responsibly by verifying information through official channels.

“We assure the people of Ijebuland and Ogun State of our unwavering commitment to transparency, justice, and the preservation of our cultural heritage.