The Chairman of Ifo Local Government in Ogun State, Kusimo Idris Olalekan, has urged the Lagos State Government to call the Chairman of Ojodu Local Government to order over the erection of a signpost bearing the inscription, “Welcome to Lagos State,” at a disputed location along the Yakoyo–Ojodu Road.

Olalekan said the placement of the signpost had raised concerns about the boundary between Ogun and Lagos states, particularly around Yakoyo in Isheri-Ojodu Ward, where Ifo Local Government maintains that the location falls within Ogun State’s territorial jurisdiction.

The council expressed concern that the signpost, which indicates the beginning of Lagos State, could create confusion among residents and road users over the actual boundary between the two neighbouring states.

The development comes amid concerns over the territorial limits of the two states in the affected area, following the construction of a road by the Ogun State Government under Governor Dapo Abiodun.

Ifo Local Government maintained that the disputed location falls within its jurisdiction and called on the Lagos State Government to intervene by directing the Ojodu Local Government chairman to desist from actions that could aggravate the boundary disagreement.

According to the council, the issue of territorial jurisdiction around the Yakoyo–Ojodu axis has generated concerns over the years, with what it described as repeated attempts by Lagos State to assert control over areas claimed by Ogun State.

The council warned that such developments could create unnecessary tension and uncertainty for residents, stressing the need for both state governments and their respective local government authorities to handle the matter with caution and responsibility.

It called for an objective determination of the boundary through official records, approved survey coordinates and other relevant government documents to establish the precise territorial limits of both states.

The council noted that a resolution based on authoritative records would help prevent further misunderstandings, protect the interests of residents and promote peaceful relations between Ogun and Lagos states.

Olalekan further urged the Lagos State Government to ensure that the actions of local government officials did not undermine efforts to maintain cordial relations between the two states, particularly in communities located around their shared boundary.

Reaffirming Ifo Local Government’s commitment to protecting its territorial interests, the chairman said the council would continue to defend the rights of its residents while pursuing a resolution of the matter through appropriate channels.

The council also called on all parties to exercise restraint and respect established territorial boundaries pending an authoritative clarification of the disputed area.

Four people have died in a road accident involving a vehicle in the convoy of Niger State governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, along Minna–Bida Road.

The crash occurred around 11 a.m. on Monday at Gidan Mongoro, on the outskirts of Minna, when a Hilux van in the governor’s convoy collided head-on with a private car.

The convoy was reportedly returning from Bida, where Bago had attended the Fida’u prayer for the late Sagin Nupe.

An eyewitness, Danjuma Umar, a resident of Gidan Mongoro, alleged that the crash occurred when the Hilux driver attempted to overtake another vehicle and rammed into the oncoming car.

Report says occupants of the private car were suspected to be postgraduate students of the Federal University of Technology, Minna.

The car was reportedly driven by a woman who lived in Gidan Mongoro.

Three victims reportedly died at the scene, while another died after being taken to the hospital, bringing the death toll to four.

The deceased were identified as Nafisat Abubakar Aguye, a hub manager, Ibrahim Ado Bayero and George.

The identity of the fourth victim was not immediately available.

Among those injured was Dauda Chukuba, a former chairman of Shiroro Local Government Area and Director-General of Government House, who was reportedly receiving treatment at the IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna.

A former local government chairman travelling in the Hilux was also reported to have sustained fractures to his legs.

The injured victims were taken to Minna General Hospital, with some subsequently referred to the IBB Specialist Hospital for further treatment.

The Niger State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Aishat Sa’adu, confirmed the accident, explaining that her personnel arrived after the victims had been evacuated from the scene.

She confirmed that the crash resulted in casualties but could not immediately establish the total number of people involved.

The incident also drew attention to the capacity of the state’s public health facilities to respond to emergencies, following reports that a medical officer at Minna General Hospital raised concerns about the availability of personnel on ground to attend to the injured.

The officer was subsequently alleged to have been arrested by security operatives attached to the governor.

However, the circumstances surrounding the reported arrest had yet to be independently verified.

The accident occurred on the same day the governor was expected to attend the inauguration of the All Progressives Congress Campaign Council in Niger State, report also mentioned.

The independent ministerial committee investigating the recent deaths of 33 persons in the custody of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Minna, Niger State, has established the operation which culminated in the arrest of the late miners was illegal. 

According to the committee, the operation which led to the arrest of the suspects was without an “operational order” or approval from the national headquarters of the NSCDC.

In the Executive Summary by the chairman of the Committee, Jonathan Kure, on Tuesday in Abuja, when he presented the report to the Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the committee cited the causes of death to include “overcrowding, unsuitable detention condition, failure of duty of care, inadequate supervision”.

It reads, “The committee concluded that the incident was a preventable custodial tragedy caused by severe overcrowding, unlawful and unsuitable detention conditions, failure of duty of care, disregard of repeated distress warnings, inadequate supervision, and wider systemic deficiencies.

“The evidence did not support claims that the death resulted from a disease outbreak. Available medical and forensic evidence instead indicated that the fatalities resulted from an environmental aphasia, an acute respiratory failure caused by prolonged confinement in a severely overcrowded and poorly ventilated detention cell, aggravated by heat stress and dehydration.

“The investigation included interviews with NACDC leadership, operational personnel, cell guards, medical staff, survivors, bereaved families, community representatives, and graveside managers. It also involved examination of arrest and detention registers, communication records, duty rosters, AZB registers, hospital and mortuary records, autopsy findings, and burial records. 29 of the 41 survivors were interviewed, including nine minors.

“Evidence from multiple independent sources was analysed and cross-checked to reconstruct events and determine responsibility. The committee established that the tragedy stemmed from enforcement operations against suspected illegal mining activities in and around Minna”