Drug dealers in Lagos and Ogun states have allegedly adopted a new strategy of using persons living with disabilities and female hawkers to distribute narcotics in a bid to evade security agencies.

The development has made detection more difficult, as persons with disabilities are often seen on the streets begging for alms, while female hawkers carrying bowls or other items may attract little suspicion from members of the public.

Report says the new method of drug distribution was uncovered following visit to some police formations in Lagos and Ogun states.

At one of the police stations in Lagos, a male amputee was arrested with a large quantity of different types of hard drugs at a black spot in one of the state’s major markets.

During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed that he was introduced to the business, alongside others, by a major drug dealer who is currently at large.

According to him, many of those recruited are operating across Lagos and Ogun states and are paid 10 per cent of their daily sales. He said he had been using the proceeds to supplement the money he made from begging.

In a separate incident, a female hawker was arrested in the Sango-Ota area of Ogun State while allegedly carrying hard drugs concealed beneath a large pot.

The woman reportedly claimed she was hawking native liquid herbs, popularly known as agbo. However, a plain-clothed police officer became suspicious and asked her to drop the pot. She reportedly started trembling, prompting the officer to search it, where several hard drugs were allegedly found.

The report quoted police investigators as saying
that the suspects would be used to trace the major dealers and other kingpins behind the distribution of narcotics in Lagos and Ogun states and, by extension, other parts of the South-West.

Meanwhile, operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have intensified raids on drug joints and identified flashpoints across the state as part of efforts to tackle the activities of drug dealers.

The police said drug abuse was a major factor contributing to criminal activities, adding that some violent crimes, including killings and robberies, are committed by people under the influence of narcotics.

The command also linked drug abuse to mental health problems among youths, citing an incident in Mushin where a young man allegedly became disoriented after taking hard drugs, went to an electricity transformer, and was electrocuted, the report said.

The Nigerian Air Force has released the names of 25 people killed in the aircraft crash that occurred in Igbokoda, Ondo State, on Monday.

The victims comprised five crew members and 20 passengers aboard the aircraft, the NAF said in a statement issued by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame.

According to the statement, the aircraft was on a routine mission from Benin to Lagos when it crashed in Igbokoda.

The Air Force said search-and-rescue operations were activated immediately after the accident, with relevant authorities and emergency agencies involved in efforts to locate and account for everyone on board.

However, the NAF confirmed that there were no survivors.

The Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, expressed condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of the victims.

Aneke described the crash as a deeply painful incident for the Nigerian Air Force and the country, while assuring the bereaved families of the Service’s full support during the period of mourning.

He also ordered a comprehensive investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash.

The NAF said it would continue to provide timely and verified information as the investigation progresses.

It urged the public to avoid speculation and the circulation of unverified reports, while appealing for respect for the privacy and dignity of the victims’ families.

Ejodame also announced that a condolence register had been opened at the NAF Headquarters in Abuja for senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, heads of security agencies and other sympathisers to pay their respects.

The full list of the five crew members and 20 passengers killed in the crash is as follows:

CREW

1. Squadron Leader MI Aburime (Flight Captain)

2. Squadron Leader AP Man-Ugwueje (Co-pilot)

3. Flight Lieutenant IS Bako (Co-pilot)

4. Warrant Officer Abubakar A (Aircraft Technician)

5. Corporal Uguru HC (Aircraft Technician)

PASSENGERS

6. Flight Lieutenant TL Lazarus

7. Flight Lieutenant M Akinloye

8. Flying Officer IM Adeshina

9. Master Warrant Officer Onwuka F

10. Master Warrant Officer Matini BA

11. Warrant Officer Nuhu FS

12. Flight Sergeant James RB

13. Flight Sergeant Mohammed AI

14. Sergeant Ani AE

15. Sergeant Izibenikien SI

16. Sergeant Alafuka C

17. Sergeant Mbadugha AN

18. Lance Corporal Ugwuba FC

19. Lance Corporal Eledan GE

20. Mrs Ezeh Nneka

21. Godstmine Tarabina

22. Joy Micheal

23. Sunday Micheal

24. Ukeme David

25. Gideon Omotola

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Oyo State Wing, has dedicated the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration to teachers and learners affected by the May 15, 2026 attack on a school in Oriire Local Government Area of the state.

The NUT Chairman, Comrade Hassan Ajibola Fatai, stated this on Monday while delivering his address at the 2026 World Teachers’ Day celebration held at the Islamic High School Multipurpose Hall, Orita Basorun, Ibadan.

The celebration, held under the theme “Standing with Teachers: 60 Years of Protecting the Profession, Advancing its Status and Shaping our Futures,” brought together teachers, education administrators, government officials, labour leaders and other stakeholders.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, said education could not be transformed without teachers, stressing that their status, competence and welfare remained central to the future of education.

Adeniran, who noted that the celebration marked 60 years of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers, said standing with teachers must go beyond ceremonial appreciation to include professional development, decent working conditions, teaching and learning resources, career progression, mentoring and continuous capacity building.

He added that Oyo SUBEB would continue collaborating with relevant authorities, teachers, communities and development partners to strengthen teacher quality and improve basic education across the state.

Adeniran also commended the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde for what he described as its strong commitment to teachers’ welfare, saying the government had consistently placed the interests of teachers high on its education agenda. He highlighted the payment of outstanding leave allowances inherited from previous administrations, regular payment of teachers’ salaries and abolishing of teachers’ six years waiting period.

He added that the Seyi Makinde administration has also approved the upgrade of teachers Grade Level above GL14.

Adeniran also assured teachers that their voices would remain part of policy discussions aimed at improving basic education, noting that the collective responsibility of government, education authorities, school leaders, teachers, parents and communities was to ensure that every child in Oyo State has access to a competent, motivated, supported and professionally respected teacher.

Comrade Hassan Fatai, in his address, said the celebration was being held with mixed feelings following the sacrifices made by teachers and learners affected by the May 15 attack in Oriire.

He described the victims as “heroes and heroines of the teachers and education struggle in the state,” announcing that the NUT would honour surviving victims with its Heroes and Heroines Award, support families of slain teachers and identify with affected learners.

The NUT chairman commended Governor Seyi Makinde, Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, Commissioner for Education Segun Olayiwola, Dr. Adeniran, TESCOM Chairperson Mrs. Olubukola Oladipo, Special Adviser on Education Intervention Oloye Suraj Abiodun Tiamy and other stakeholders for their roles in the rescue and survival efforts.

He also praised the state government’s support for teachers while urging it to sustain improved welfare and working conditions.

Fatai, however, presented fresh demands on behalf of teachers, including full implementation of the Safe School Programme, integration of 135 teachers into the TESCOM employment structure, approval of inter-local government transfers for some teachers appointed in 2005, administrative flexibility on conversion and career progression, prompt release of grants to school heads and payment of outstanding 2025 leave allowances.

He further urged teachers to embrace artificial intelligence and other technological developments, stressing that protecting, respecting, rewarding, empowering and investing in teachers remained essential to strengthening education and securing the future of Oyo State and Nigeria.

The event was attended by top government functionaries, and NUT leaders in the State.

A major highlight of the celebration was the presentation of the Heroes and Heroines of Teachers Award to teachers who demonstrated courage and dedication in the face of the Oriire school attack. The awardees included the Principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, Mrs. Alamu Racheal Folawe; Vice Principal of Community High School, Ahoro-Esiele, Mr. Ojo Jonathan Adebayo; Mr. Olatunde Olutoye Zacchaeus; Mrs. Oladeji Jelilat Oluwakemi; and Mrs. Daunting Mary Temitope of Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota.