News
Budget: LAHA Places Public Works, Water Corp’ On First-line Charge
The Lagos State House of Assembly on Friday (today) passed a total of N2,267,976,120,869 as the 2024 budget size of the State at a plenary session presided over by the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.

The budget representing 58 percent Capital Expenditure and 42 percent Recurrent Expenditure was approved following a unanimous voice vote by all the lawmakers present at the sitting.
“A bill for a law to authorise the issuance and appropriation of N952,430,566,998 from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for Recurrent Expenditure and N1,315,545,553,871 from Development Fund for Capital Expenditure thereby totaling a budget size of N2,267,976,120,869 for the year ending 31st December, 2024 be passed into law,” the Speaker had raised on the floor as the budget report was read a third time.
Dr. Obasa, thereafter, commended the lawmakers for their dedication and cooperation at ensuring a quick passage of the Appropriation Bill while directing the Clerk of the House, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko, to forward a copy of the approved budget to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for assent.
Prior to its passage, Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh, chairman of the joint-committee on Budget and Finance, had presented a report containing some recommendations to the House.
Among the recommendations is that theThe Lagos State House of Assembly Public Works Corporation, the Water Corporation and the state-owned tertiary institutions be placed on first-line charge to enable them perform optimally.
Governor Sanwo-Olu had on Wednesday, December 13, 2023, presented the 2024 budget proposal of N2.246 trillion to the House of Assembly saying that the state anticipated internally generated revenue of N1.251 trillion and federal government allocations of N596.629 billion.
Recall that Obasa, during the presentation of the budget by the governor, urged the government should ensure a functional budget.
“It is highly important for us to apply the right indices towards ensuring a performing and functioning budget that would lift our people out of poverty and reposition the state towards infrastructural growth and renewal.
“Palliatives should move from just giving people garri, rice, beans or even money. We should have a direction that is focused, impactful and deeply backed up by effective policy implementations.
“For instance, in the name of palliative care, let there be provision of drugs at all public hospitals in the state at subsidised rates. At the same time, focus should be on a downward review of treatment costs in these hospitals,” the Speaker said during the budget presentation.
News
Notorious Bandit, Samagi Reportedly Captured In Katsina
The Katsina State Community Watch Corps has reportedly captured Samagi, a top commander in the bandit network led by notorious kingpin Kachalla Maha in Katsina State.
The group was reportedly responsible for the death of former Director of Defence Information, Major General Rabe Abubakar (rtd.).
Samagi was apprehended alongside another associate.
Samagi’s gang has been linked to several brutal attacks across the Matazu area of the state.
The development came a few days after Katsina vigilantes arrested two suspected ammunition suppliers to Kachalla Maha.
Meanwhile, bandits have continued to terrorise the North-West region amid worsening insecurity, with kidnappings and killings recorded in parts of the region.
News
NDLEA Officer Drowns Into River Chasing Suspect
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, on Saturday lost one of its officers while another is battling for his life after they reportedly jumped into the River Ethiope while pursuing fleeing suspects in Obiaruku, Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State.
The drug enforcement operation, however, turned fatal after the body of one of the officers was later recovered from the river.
The suspect and others being pursued reportedly escaped through the river.
Report quote community sources, as saying that a suspected drug offender who had reportedly been apprehended on the other side of the river jumped into the water while being taken towards the River Ethiope Bridge in an attempt to escape.
The officers pursuing the suspect subsequently entered the river in an effort to apprehend him. One of the officers reportedly drowned, while another was rescued and taken to a hospital for medical attention.
Community sources said traditional rites associated with drowning incidents in Obiaruku were performed before the remains were released to the relevant authorities.
Report said the rites included the provision of a goat and other items.
News
24-Year-Old Cult Leader Arrested Over Calabar Viral Shooting
The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 24-year-old student, Emmanuel Ejim, in connection with a viral video allegedly showing suspected cult members firing gunshots from a moving vehicle in Calabar.
The Command, in a statement signed by its Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said the incident occurred in the early hours of September 17, 2026, prompting Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, to direct the immediate identification and arrest of those involved.
According to the police, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, and operatives of the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU) commenced an intelligence-led operation at about 11:30 p.m. on September 17.
The operation, the Command said, led to the identification and tracking of the vehicle captured in the viral footage and the subsequent arrest of its driver.
The information obtained from the driver reportedly helped the police trace Ejim to a hotel in Calabar, where he was arrested.
The police identified Ejim as a student of the University of Cross River (UNICROSS) and said he allegedly identified himself during questioning as a leader of the Vikings Confraternity.
He allegedly admitted being the person seen firing the shots in the viral video.
The suspect also allegedly told investigators that he participated in a sign-out activity on the day of the incident and that another suspected member of the group handed him the pistol allegedly used in the shooting.
The Command said efforts had been intensified to identify and arrest other persons linked to the incident, adding that the circumstances surrounding the possession of the firearm and movement of the vehicle remained under investigation.
The Commissioner of Police directed that the investigation be conducted professionally and comprehensively, with anyone found to have participated in or facilitated the alleged act brought before the law.
The Command warned that the unlawful discharge of firearms in public places constituted a serious security concern and urged residents to report suspicious movements, possession of firearms and cult-related activities to the police.
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