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Oyo Govt Tasks FG After Release Of 20 Corps Members

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The Oyo State Government has welcomed the release of the 20 prospective members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) who were abducted while travelling to their orientation camps in Imo State, but urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to tackle the persistent wave of kidnapping and banditry across the country.

 

The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr. Dotun Oyelade, made the call while reacting to the release of the prospective corps members by their abductors on Wednesday, saying the development had brought relief to the state government, the affected families and the people of Oyo State.

Oyelade said, “Oyo State Government is relieved at the release of our children from the bondage of abduction once again.”

He congratulated the Imo and Oyo State Governments, as well as the Federal Government, over the release, while stressing that the development should also serve as a reminder of the need for stronger and more coordinated action against the growing insecurity in the country.

“We congratulate the Imo and Oyo State Governments and the Federal Government too,” he said

The commissioner, however, said the Federal Government, which he described as having the greatest constitutional powers and capacity to address the security challenge, needed to do more to prevent such incidents from recurring.

According to him, “The Federal Government, which has the preponderance of power and capacity to effectively nip this embarrassing development in the bud, must be more proactive and live up to its promise to keep citizens safer across the land.”

Oyelade expressed concern that despite repeated assurances from the Presidency on efforts to improve national security, kidnapping and banditry continued to affect communities and citizens in different parts of the country.

“It is worrisome that large pockets of kidnappings and banditry still dominate the Nigerian landscape, the constant robust assurances from the Presidency notwithstanding,” he said.

He further raised concern over the number of Nigerians who, according to him, remained in captivity in forests across the country, saying the continued abduction of citizens underscored the need for more effective security measures.

“At the last count, not less than 200 Nigerians are still languishing in forests, abducted in circumstances in which government appears to have no clue,” the commissioner said.

The 20 prospective corps members were abducted while travelling to Imo State for the NYSC orientation exercise, causing anxiety among their families and loved ones and prompting efforts to secure their release.

Their release was confirmed on Wednesday by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, who received the information from Imo State Governor, Mr. Hope Uzodinma, during a telephone conversation at about 5pm.

The development was conveyed to the Olubadan by Governor Uzodinma personally, according to a statement by the monarch’s media aide, Adeola Oloko.

The Olubadan, who had closely monitored developments surrounding the abduction, expressed relief following confirmation that the prospective corps members had regained their freedom.

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Court Dismisses Emeka Ike’s N10bn Suit Against Wike’s Aide, INEC

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a N10 billion suit filed by Nollywood actor, Emeka Ike against Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the Independent National Electoral Commission over the publication of his voter registration details on social media.

 

Ike had approached the court, alleging that the publication of his voter information on X violated his right to privacy and data protection.

He sought N10 billion in damages, alongside an order compelling the defendants to remove the information and issue an apology.

However, Justice Salim Ibrahim dismissed the suit, ruling that Ike failed to provide sufficient evidence to support his claims.

The judge also dismissed the preliminary objections raised by the defendants, who had challenged the competence of the suit and argued that it was improperly constituted.

In his response to the suit, Olayinka had maintained that the information shared online consisted only of Ike’s name and passport photograph, which he described as publicly available details.

“I did not unlawfully access the actor’s personal information, and the publication did not breach any legal duty owed to him,” Olayinka said.

Olayinka also cited Section 19(1) of the Electoral Act 2026, arguing that the law provides for the publication of voter information ahead of general elections.

INEC, in its response, said there was no evidence that its Continuous Voter Registration database had been hacked or accessed by an unauthorised external party.

“The information was neither classified nor confidential and could be made public in accordance with the law,” INEC said.

Ike had relied on Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution, Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 to support his claim that his privacy rights had been violated.

The actor had also sought the removal and retraction of the published information.

The case arose amid Ike’s political ambition to contest for a seat in the House of Representatives representing the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) and Bwari Federal Constituency in the 2027 general elections.

He had sought the Nigeria Democratic Congress ticket but lost the party’s primary election.

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4 Killed, 16 Injured As Container Truck Overturns On Bus In Lagos

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Four people have been killed and 16 others injured after a container truck overturned onto an interstate Toyota Hiace bus on Berger Bridge, inward Eleko, along the Ibeju-Lekki Expressway in Lagos State.

 

A statement by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, said the fatal accident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, October 28, 2026, when an articulated truck carrying a 20-foot container collided with the bus, with registration number GME-589 ZU.

According to the agency, preliminary findings showed that the truck was travelling up the bridge at excessive speed when it collided with the bus.

The truck driver reportedly lost control while attempting to avoid the collision, causing the truck to overturn onto the bus.

“The impact was severe and tragically resulted in the loss of four (4) adult males who were confirmed dead at the scene, while sixteen (16) other adult males sustained varying degrees of injuries,” the statement said.

LASEMA said its Beta Whales Team from Epe Base was immediately deployed after the agency received a distress call about the crash.

The response team, working with the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, and the Nigeria Police Force, secured the scene, administered first aid to the injured victims and took them to Epe General Hospital for further medical attention.

The agency said a private crane had been secured to recover the overturned truck and container and allow responders to safely remove the bodies of the deceased.

It added that the recovery operation was ongoing, while traffic management measures had been put in place to ensure safety along the affected road.

The Lagos State Government commiserated with the families of the deceased and wished the injured victims a speedy recovery.

Four people have been killed and 16 others injured after a container truck overturned onto an interstate Toyota Hiace bus on Berger Bridge, inward Eleko, along the Ibeju-Lekki Expressway in Lagos State.

A statement by the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency, LASEMA, said the fatal accident occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, October 28, 2026, when an articulated truck carrying a 20-foot container collided with the bus, with registration number GME-589 ZU.

According to the agency, preliminary findings showed that the truck was travelling up the bridge at excessive speed when it collided with the bus.

The truck driver reportedly lost control while attempting to avoid the collision, causing the truck to overturn onto the bus.

“The impact was severe and tragically resulted in the loss of four (4) adult males who were confirmed dead at the scene, while sixteen (16) other adult males sustained varying degrees of injuries,” the statement said.

LASEMA said its Beta Whales Team from Epe Base was immediately deployed after the agency received a distress call about the crash.

The response team, working with the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, and the Nigeria Police Force, secured the scene, administered first aid to the injured victims and took them to Epe General Hospital for further medical attention.

The agency said a private crane had been secured to recover the overturned truck and container and allow responders to safely remove the bodies of the deceased.

It added that the recovery operation was ongoing, while traffic management measures had been put in place to ensure safety along the affected road.

The Lagos State Government commiserated with the families of the deceased and wished the injured victims a speedy recovery.

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Ifo LG Boss Tackles Ojodu Counterpart Over Boundary Indicator Placement

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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.

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