Kwara State Government has issued a strong warning to the general public, particularly road users and residents along the Tunde Idiagbon Airport Road axis in Ilorin, the state capital, to desist from indiscriminate dumping of refuse along the roadside.

Such acts, the government warned, would henceforth be treated as environmental abuse and indiscipline, punishable under existing environmental laws.

The General Manager of the Kwara State Environmental Protection Agency (KWEPA), Jide Aina, gave the warning while actively participating in a special clean-up exercise along Airport Road.

He expressed deep concern over the persistent misuse of the area, which has regrettably been turned into an illegal dumpsite by some unpatriotic individuals.

Aina lamented that despite the proactive intervention of the Kwara State Government through the Ministry of Environment, particularly the provision of four large Roro bins to facilitate proper waste disposal, some residents continue to dump refuse indiscriminately along the road setback.

He described the situation as unacceptable and a clear disregard for government efforts aimed at promoting a clean, safe, and healthy environment.

The KWEPA boss also condemned the practice of open burning of refuse along the road, warning that it poses serious environmental and public health risks to both residents and road users.

He stressed that illegal dumping and open burning of waste are criminal offences under the state environmental laws and will no longer be tolerated.

According to him, KWEPA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, has deployed environmental monitoring and enforcement teams to the affected areas.

He warned that any individual caught engaging in illegal dumping, open burning, or related environmental offences would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Jide Aina called on residents across the state to support the government’s environmental sanitation drive by adopting responsible waste disposal practices.

He emphasized that environmental cleanliness is a collective responsibility and a civic duty essential for public health, safety, and sustainable development.

The clean-up exercise attracted the participation of top government officials, including the Commissioner for Environment, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, and other senior officials, underscoring the state government’s commitment to restoring and sustaining a clean, safe, and environmentally friendly state.

Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen have again struck Otobi-Akpa community in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, killing no fewer than four residents in a midnight attack.

It was gathered that the assailants, said to be heavily armed, invaded the community around 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, shooting sporadically and forcing residents to flee for safety.

The attack, which lasted for several hours, claimed the lives of Hon. Ochi Ayedu, Eje Uzu, Alinko, and Achibi, while several other residents are still unaccounted for as of the time of filing this report.

This latest incident comes just months after a deadly assault on the same Otobi-Akpa community, during which at least 13 people were killed, many others injured or reported missing, and more than 50 houses razed.

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has said that the African Democratic Congress, ADC, risks political irrelevance if it fails to present former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, as its candidate ahead of the 2027 general election.

Speaking during an exclusive interview on Arise Television, Fayose described Obi as the major political attraction within the ADC, insisting that other figures in the party lack the capacity to generate significant electoral traction.

According to him, Obi remains the only factor capable of giving the party national relevance, adding that his political influence was evident during the 2023 elections when his emergence as the Labour Party presidential candidate helped the party secure seats in the House of Representatives despite its previously limited national presence.

Fayose argued that Obi’s appeal transcends party platforms, noting that he would attract similar support even if he contested on the platform of another lesser-known party.

He, however, clarified that he was not predicting whether Obi would win or lose the 2027 presidential election, but maintained that ADC’s fortunes would be worse than its current state if the party failed to field him as its candidate.

The former governor added that Obi remains central to ADC’s relevance in the 2027 electoral contest, warning that sidelining him would significantly weaken the party’s political standing.

He said: “Peter Obi is the life in ADC. I didn’t say there are no other human beings in ADC. I’m saying others are largely spent forces.

“Let’s say Obi didn’t go to ADC, let Obi go to another party. Let’s say Obi is in Accord. Obi will become… I’m saying it: Obi is the only traction, Obi is the only meaning, Obi is the only factor, Obi is the only person in ADC that matters.

“And if Obi had not gone to ADC and has gone…when Obi went to Labour, Labour that was never known people won elections to the House of Reps.

“I’m not saying Obi will win this election. I’m not saying Obi will not win this election, but I’m telling you, even if they don’t fill Obi, if ADC fails to fill Obi, their case will be worse than their coming together.”

Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has accused former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal of being an “alarmist” for saying “Nigeria is in peril and needs urgent salvation.”

It said Tambuwal’s remark is a case of misplaced moral outrage because when he was entrusted with responsibility, he failed to deploy the very “salvation” he now theatrically advertises.

The spokesman of the state arm of the party, Seye Oladejo, urged Tambuwal and his cohort to rise above political theatre.

In a statement he signed, Oladejo said If salvation is truly the concern, it should begin with humility, restitution, and support for reforms that move the nation forward, noting that “Anything short of this is noise-loud, convenient, and ultimately hollow.”

He said: “The Lagos APC has taken note of the alarmist remarks credited to Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, wherein he declared that “Nigeria is in peril and needs urgent salvation.”

“We consider this intervention a classic case of misplaced moral outrage by a principal actor who, when entrusted with responsibility, failed to deploy the very “salvation” he now theatrically advertises.

“At moments like this, statesmanship demands introspection and restitution-not grandstanding. Nigerians remember the years when Tambuwal occupied strategic positions in government and the dividends of leadership expected at those times.

“Sadly, rather than offering a candid reckoning with his record or apologising for missed opportunities, he has chosen to sermonise from a pedestal of selective amnesia.

“More instructively, his recent 60th birthday colloquial presented a rare lifeline to truly confess, seek forgiveness, and embrace restitution from a nation that gave him so much but received next to nothing in return. It was an auspicious occasion that should have lent itself to sober reflection and an honest recap of stewardship.

“Instead, that opportunity was cleverly sidestepped. Tales of sainthood ring hollow when public service records and recent legal tussles over graft remain unresolved footnotes that were conspicuously omitted.

“Nigeria still bleeds from years of exploitation and poor leadership by individuals who once occupied positions of trust. To now speak of “peril” without acknowledging one’s role in deepening the nation’s wounds is not courage; it is convenience.

“It bears restating that Nigeria’s challenges did not materialise overnight, nor were they authored by the present administration alone.

“Many of those now brandishing megaphones of despair were active participants-if not architects-of the policy inertia, political brinkmanship, and economic drift that constrained national progress for years. To proclaim peril without accepting culpability is to insult the intelligence of Nigerians.”

Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Seme Area Command, recorded a remarkable financial performance in 2025, closing the year with a 117 per cent increase in revenue generation compared to the previous year.

The Command generated a total of N15.6 billion in 2025, a sharp rise from the N7.2 billion realised in 2024.

The surge was capped by its strongest monthly performance on record in December 2025, when revenue collections peaked at N3.63 billion.

In a statement issued by the Superintendent of Customs and Public Relations Officer of the Seme Area Command on behalf of the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Wale Adenuga, the impressive outcome was attributed largely to the successful implementation of the One-Stop Shop, OSS, initiative introduced by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Adewale Adeniyi.

According to the statement, the OSS framework significantly enhanced operational coordination, improved trade facilitation and strengthened engagement with key stakeholders, thereby boosting efficiency and revenue inflow at the border command.

The Command also credited part of its success to the rationalisation of checkpoints along the Lagos-Abidjan corridor.

Adenuga explained that the reduction of checkpoints to the two locations approved by the Federal Government eased the movement of legitimate goods, reduced delays for traders and transporters, and created a more conducive environment for lawful cross-border trade.

Beyond revenue generation, the Seme Area Command said it sustained strong enforcement efforts against smuggling and other illicit activities throughout the year. In December 2025 alone, officers of the Command seized 685 parcels of Cannabis sativa (marijuana), 495 packs of Tramadol and 2,000 packs of Super Power Sildenafil tablets (300mg), an unregulated and excessively high-dosage sexual enhancement drug.

The Command noted that the seizures were the result of intelligence-driven operations, intensified border patrols, effective risk profiling and improved collaboration with other security and regulatory agencies.

It reaffirmed its commitment to balancing trade facilitation with strict enforcement, stressing that efforts would be sustained to protect the nation’s economy, public health and security while supporting legitimate commerce.

Plans have been concluded for the partial demolition of the Iddo Bridge in Lagos, with reconstruction works set to commence next week as part of efforts to overhaul the ageing infrastructure.

The Regional Manager of Julius Berger Nigeria, Mr Thomas Christl, disclosed this on Sunday during an inspection of the bridge by the Minister of Works, Senator Dave Umahi.

Christl explained that structural assessments revealed severe damage to key sections of the bridge, necessitating the replacement of three spans to ensure safety and durability.

“Three spans of the existing Iddo Bridge are heavily damaged and must be replaced,” he said.

According to him, the reconstruction will be executed in phases to limit traffic disruption.

He noted that the two carriageways would be separated, allowing work to proceed on one section while traffic is diverted to the other.

“What we are doing now is to separate the two directions. By next week, traffic will be diverted to one side of the bridge, while one half will be demolished and rebuilt,” Christl explained.

He added that once reconstruction of the first section is completed, traffic would be redirected to the new portion to allow demolition and rebuilding of the second half.

“By the end of March, traffic will likely be moved onto the newly completed side, after which the remaining section will be demolished and reconstructed,” he said.

Christl further disclosed that complementary works are already ongoing beneath the bridge, including upgrades to the drainage system and underpass.

“We have commenced drainage works, and the outfall into the lagoon has already been completed,” he said.

He explained that after completing the drainage, the soil beneath the bridge would be excavated to lower the road level, thereby increasing clearance and preventing trucks from crashing into the structure, a major cause of previous damage.

Commenting on the state of the bridge, Senator Umahi attributed part of the deterioration to a fire incident triggered by illegal activities under the bridge, which affected several spans.

“Six spans were affected by the fire. What we have done is to re-asphalt one carriageway so that traffic can be fully diverted there, after which three spans on the other carriageway will be removed,” Umahi said.

“Once that is completed, traffic will be diverted back, and we will proceed to demolish and reconstruct the second carriageway,” he added.

The minister disclosed that the reconstruction project, estimated at about N15 billion, is expected to be completed by June.

He explained that one of the major design improvements involves increasing the bridge’s headroom from about 4.5 metres to the minimum required clearance of 5.6 metres.

“That clearance is critical, and we are working towards achieving it,” Umahi said.

He expressed satisfaction with the progress of work so far, noting that a bypass route has already been constructed to ease movement.

“Julius Berger is doing well, but I do not want any delays,” the minister said, adding that he had directed engineers to closely monitor the project and provide regular updates to ensure timely completion.

Umahi also assured that upon completion, the Federal Government would deploy closed-circuit television cameras beneath and on top of the bridge to enhance security, similar to measures already implemented on the Third Mainland Bridge.

The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, has challenged Nigerians to publicly come forward with evidence if he has ever been involved in fraudulent activities, insisting that he has never benefited from corruption throughout his years in public service.

Olukoyede made the declaration during an interview with Channels Television aired on Sunday, where he dismissed claims linking him to fraud or illicit enrichment.

“I’d like to tell Nigerians here, with every sense of responsibility, all through my service in the public sector, as Chief of Staff, in the EFCC, as Secretary in the EFCC, and I make bold to say that I’ve never been involved in any fraudulent activity,” he said.

The EFCC chairman further stated, “I’ve never been involved in any fraudulent activities. I serve as Chief of Staff, no Nigerian, and I challenge anybody to say, ‘Oh, this man has ever collected one bottle of coke or one naira to influence my sense of judgement in carrying out my responsibility.’”

Addressing concerns about asset management during his time as EFCC Secretary, Olukoyede said he handled seized assets without personal gain.

“As Secretary, I’ve got to manage assets here and to dispose assets. I never—you can’t trace any asset to me, nor any member of my family, as a matter of principle. And no Nigerian can say I collected one dime because of carrying out my activities,” he said.

He questioned the basis of the allegations against him, adding, “So the issue of fraudulent attachment, I don’t know where that would have come from. And I’ve told you now, I’ve never benefited from any of these assets. Never.”

When asked about his wealth, Olukoyede said Nigerians were free to verify his claims.

“I mean, Nigeria should go and investigate that. So I don’t understand the concept of being a rich man,” he
said.

Responding to a question on asset declaration, the EFCC chairman said he complied fully with the law at every stage of his career.

“Of course I did that. I mean, I said that to the public. That was the first thing I did. I did it as Chief of Staff. I did it as Secretary. I did it as Chairman,” he said.

He added, “I remember Nigerians also remember that I asked all my staff to also declare their assets. So look, it’s something that anybody can verify.”

Reiterating his challenge, Olukoyede said, “I’m telling you, I’ve never been involved in any fraudulent activity. Whether as Chief of Staff or as Secretary, and I’m telling Nigerians, if you have ever offered me a bribe, and I collected, come out and say it.”

Asked if he considered himself upright, he replied, “To the best of my knowledge. I do my work with every sense of diligence, and I do my work with every sense of commitment and loyalty to the mandate.”

Rivers State House of Assembly has said that the impeachment process against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his Deputy, Ngozi Odu, is fully on course.

Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Enemi George, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

George said the move is in line with relevant provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

He added that the two notices of allegations of gross misconduct brought pursuant to Section 188 of the Constitution against the Governor and Deputy have been forwarded to them by the Speaker of the House while we await their responses.

According to him, it is the House of Assembly that is empowered by the Constitution to stand by the people and stop infractions on the Constitution by the Governor, Deputy Governor or any other officer of the Rivers State Government so, adding that the Assembly members remain duty bound in this regard.

“We are aware that certain persons and media platforms are at it again to misinform the public particularly to the effect that the process has been halted or discontinued. Some are trending false narratives to cause disaffection between the House and well-meaning Nigerians.

“Therefore, with the leave of the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule DSSRS .I call on all and sundry to disregard their antics, as their actions have already failed. We remain committed to our constitutional duties and would not be dissuaded by cheap blackmail or threats from those who do not mean well for our country’s nascent democracy.

“Finally, we thank the good people of Rivers State for their prayers and encouragement and express our gratitude to all stakeholders and leaders at all levels and use this medium to extend our warm regards to all democrats who believe in the Nigerian project.

“May God continue to bless our dear Rivers State and Nigeria,” the statement read.