Lagos State Police Command, on Thursday, convened a high-level security stakeholders’ meeting as part of activities marking the 2026 National Police Day, reaffirming its commitment to community-based policing and officer welfare.

The event, held in Lagos, also featured the presentation of cheques to families of officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, drawing participation from key groups including the Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC, the Eminent Persons Forum, community and religious leaders, as well as representatives of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN.

Addressing participants, the Commissioner of Police, Fatai Olaiwola Tijani, commended stakeholders for their sustained support in crime prevention and public safety, stressing the need for stronger collaboration in tackling security challenges across the state.

He emphasized the importance of synergy between the police and the public, particularly in ensuring swift responses to distress calls and maintaining law and order.

The police chief also highlighted key concerns such as cultism and electoral violence, assuring that the Command would continue to deploy intelligence-driven strategies and modern technology to improve its operational capacity.

In a solemn highlight of the event, the Command presented a total of N53,387,209.48 to families of fallen officers under the Inspector-General of Police Family Welfare Scheme.

The gesture, according to the Command, reflects the Nigeria Police Force’s continued commitment to supporting families of personnel who died in active service.

Beneficiaries expressed gratitude to the Inspector-General of Police and the Lagos Command for the financial support, noting that the assistance would help ease the burden faced by families left behind.

Reaffirming the Force’s position, the Commissioner assured that the sacrifices of the fallen officers would not be forgotten, adding that the police would remain steadfast in providing support to their families.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, has deployed a total of 2,250 personnel across Lagos Sate to ensure adequate security during the Easter celebrations.

In Lagos State, 2,250 officers and men have been stationed at worship centres, recreational parks, and other strategic locations, to guarantee a peaceful and incident-free festive period.

The Lagos State Commandant of the Corps, Adedotun Keshinro, said the operation is aimed at safeguarding lives and property, as well as protecting critical national assets and infrastructure across the state.

He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to ensuring the safety of residents and securing vital installations in all sectors of the economy.

Speaking during a meeting with senior officers, including management staff, area commanders, divisional officers, and heads of tactical and counter-terrorism units at the Command headquarters in Alausa, Keshinro disclosed that operational strategies had been strengthened to curb criminal activities and prevent vandalism before, during, and after the celebrations.

He added that the Lagos Command would work closely with other security agencies to achieve effective coordination and maintain public safety throughout the festive period.

Keshinro urged officers and personnel to remain proactive and committed to securing key locations such as oil pipelines, public facilities, places of worship, parks, and other sensitive points across the state.

According to him, the Command has also intensified intelligence gathering, surveillance operations, and patrol activities, while deploying specialised units, including the Special Female Squad and Quick Intervention Squad, to respond swiftly to any security threats.

He assured residents that both physical and intelligence-driven strategies have been put in place to ensure comprehensive security coverage throughout the Easter period.

The Commandant congratulated Christians on the celebration and called on them to reflect the virtues of love, sacrifice, humility, and tolerance, which define the Easter season.

An alleged resignation letter, purportedly written by Nafiu Bala, a key figure in the African Democratic Congress, ADC, has surfaced online amid the ongoing leadership crisis within the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission’s, INEC, decision to de-recognise its leadership.

The letter was shared by popular social media influencer, Emma IK Umeh (Tcee) on his X handle on Wednesday.

In one of the letters, dated May 18, 2025, Bala stated that he had resigned his position as a member of the party’s National Working Committee, with effect from May 26, 2025.

He said the decision was taken to allow for “a smooth and effective coalition and restructuring” within the party.

The letter, addressed to the National Chairman of the ADC, indicated that his resignation did not amount to an exit from the party, adding that he remained willing to serve in any other capacity if called upon in the future.

In a separate letter, addressed to the INEC Chairman at the Commission’s headquarters in Abuja, the party disclosed that Bala tendered his resignation on May 17, 2025.

The ADC stated that the resignation had been duly received, considered, and accepted by its National Working Committee in accordance with the provisions of the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act 2022.

The party also confirmed that a copy of the resignation letter was attached for INEC’s record.

ADC leadership, in the correspondence, requested the Commission to update its records to reflect the change in its leadership structure.

The letter was signed by the party’s National Chairman, Ralph Okey Nwosu, and the National Secretary, Alhaji Said Baba Abdullahi.

While the authenticity of the letters could not be independently verified, their emergence came amid heightened tensions within the ADC leadership.

DAILY POST reports that INEC had on Wednesday announced the removal of the names of former Senate President David Mark and ex-Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola from its official portal as National Chairman and National Secretary of the party, respectively.

The Commission also said it would not recognise Nafiu Bala Gombe, who is seeking to be declared national chairman through the courts.

INEC further disclosed that it would suspend recognition of all factions within the party and refrain from monitoring any conventions or congresses organised by the contending groups, pending the determination of a substantive suit before the Federal High Court.

A former chairman of Ringim Local Government Area in Jigawa State, Shehu Sule Udi, has announced his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The resignation was contained in a letter personally signed by Udi and addressed to the party’s ward chairman in Ringim on Thursday, a copy of which was obtained by DAILY POST.

In the letter, the former council chairman said his decision came after extensive consultations with his supporters and a thorough assessment of the situation within the party.
“I hereby formally resign my membership of the APC with immediate effect,” he stated.

Udi explained that the move was not made lightly, noting that it was prompted by concerns over what he described as a shift away from the party’s founding ideals.

According to him, recent developments at the local, state, and national levels have made it increasingly difficult for him to remain aligned with the party’s current direction.

He, however, expressed gratitude for the opportunities he enjoyed while in the APC and wished the party success in its future activities.

Although Udi did not disclose his next political move, some of his supporters have been urging him to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a decision he has yet to publicly confirm.

Hundreds of angry youths on Wednesday took over the ever-busy Benin-Lagos expressway, protesting against what they described as economic hardship in the country.

DAILY POST gathered that the protesters, mainly youths and students from the University of Benin (UNIBEN), used heavy logs, vehicles, and burning tires to block movement on both sides of the highway.

They also set bonfires on the expressway.

The development, it was gathered, resulted in heavy gridlock as motorists and commuters were left stranded, forcing passengers within the Benin metropolis to leave their vehicles and trek to their destinations.

It was learnt that thousands of travelers, including commercial transporters and private car owners, were trapped, with some reportedly turning back to find alternative routes.

The protesters carried placards with various inscriptions, such as “No to petrol hike,” “No to bad roads,” and “APC must go,” among others.

They said they were protesting against several issues, ranging from the hike in petrol prices, epileptic power supply, poor state of roads, and high cost of food items.

They, however, demanded urgent government intervention to address rising food prices, unemployment, and the high cost of living in the country.

In a viral video, a protester said the demonstration was to express their displeasure over the economic hardship in the country.

“There is hardship in this country, and the governments are doing nothing about it.

“We are tired of the promises. Our parents are suffering, students are starving, and the road is the only place they will hear us.

“The protest is to draw the attention of the government to our plight. We are calling on the government at all levels to act quickly before things get out of hand,” he said.

Some observers described the protest as a reflection of the growing frustration among young Nigerians.

They noted that the hardship in the country is biting harder and that many young people feel political leaders are not connecting enough with their daily realities.

Babajide Sanwo-Olu has approved the release of 43 inmates from correctional facilities across Lagos State, as part of ongoing efforts to decongest custodial centres and strengthen reforms within the criminal justice system.

The development was disclosed in a statement by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro, who noted that the move forms part of a strategy to address overcrowding and improve correctional infrastructure.

“It would be recalled that a few months ago, in December 2025, ninety-one inmates were also released from the custodial centres,” Pedro said.

He explained that the latest action was taken under the governor’s constitutional powers.

“The decision to release inmates who were yet to complete their terms was taken pursuant to the power of prerogative of mercy, conferred on the Governor under Section 212 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended),” he stated.

Pedro further disclosed that the beneficiaries were selected based on recommendations from the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy.

“The released inmates were duly recommended by the State Advisory Council on the Prerogative of Mercy in accordance with established legal and administrative guidelines,” he added.

He emphasised that the initiative reflects the government’s commitment to justice sector reforms and improved conditions in correctional facilities.

“This exercise reflects the State Government’s commitment to upholding justice, fairness and the rule of law, alongside improving conditions within correctional centres by proactively addressing the challenges of overcrowding,” he said.

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has reiterated its long-standing position that it is a cultural and socio-political organisation that does not engage in partisan politics.

Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, ACF Publicity Secretary, said in a statement, “Members and officials of ACF are free to hold personal political beliefs and affiliations, but they do not represent the ACF in such capacities.”

He explained that the attention of the forum had been drawn to a statement issued by someone purported to be speaking for the Social Democratic Party (SDP), claiming that the ACF was represented at a meeting held in Ilesha, Osun State, on March 31, 2026, to endorse their party and candidate.

According to Muhammad-Baba, “We wish to clarify that Alhaji Murtala Aliyu, Mutawallen Gombe, the Secretary General of the ACF attended the meeting at the invitation of Afenifere to witness their General Meeting in Ilesha to further improve the relationship between the socio-cultural groups – ACF, Afenifere, and Northern Elders Forum – to discuss ways to move the country forward.

“He was, therefore, at the meeting as a representative of ACF, as an observer. He was there specifically to meet with Afenifere to discuss cooperation among the regional groups.”

He stated, “ACF therefore hereby distance itself from the announcement made by the agent of the SDP” and emphasised that “the ACF name and reputation should not be used to imply endorsement of any partisan political interest or, for that matter, representation of the organisation.”

It urged the general public to disregard the statement and to understand that the ACF remains committed to its principles and objectives, uninfluenced by partisan politics.

The Kwankwasiyya Movement has said that the exit of the former presidential candidate of the New Nigerian Peoples Party, NNPP, Rabi’u Kwankwaso, from the party means the party is dead in Kano and beyond.

Spokesman for the Movement, Habibu Mohammed, made this statement on Tuesday during an interview on Arise Television.

He was reacting to the recent defection of Kwankwaso from the NNPP into the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

“Everybody knows that the NNPP is synonymous with Kwankwaso and him leaving the NNPP automatically means that the NNPP is actually dead in Kano, and maybe beyond Kano, which might be seen to be dead across the nation.

“Just like what Kwankwaso meant for the NNPP in Kano, he will now be seen to be the ADC in Kano State, and it will be an interesting scenario.

“So many people believe in Kwankwaso and his principles. There will be a lot of influx into the ADC.

“And I believe from the recent happening, it is going to be a very interesting scenario in Kano, because there are several others that are actually going to come along, and this is the result of the fact that so many people believe that Kwankwaso is a man with principle, and he’s the man that doesn’t actually meander. He goes straight to the point.

“He’s somebody who is ready to actually say it as it is, and for both parties to understand.

“So there are so many politicians that knew very well that they can align with him, even if they have different opinions, but the fact that he can lead, he can provide direction, he can protect his own and he will be able to actually turn things around, so many other people are coming,” Mohammed said.