Two Killed, Several Injured As Multiple Road Crashes Rock Lagos On New Year’s Day — LASTMA Blames Speeding, Reckless Driving The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) has confirmed that two people were killed and several others injured in multiple road traffic crashes across Lagos on New Year’s Day, January 1, 2026. The agency attributed the accidents to reckless driving and excessive speeding during the festive period. According to LASTMA, a fatal collision occurred at Iyana Itire, inward Oshodi, involving a Volkswagen commercial bus and a Toyota Sienna, resulting in the death of two occupants. Emergency officials evacuated the deceased while traffic was swiftly managed to prevent further congestion. In another incident along Ibeju Bridge on the Lekki–Ajah Expressway, a DAF tanker collided with an Opel Zafira, leaving two victims critically injured and hospitalized. A third crash at Owode Elede on Ikorodu Road involved a Volkswagen bus and a Toyota Corolla, injuring four people who were also rescued and taken to hospital. Reacting to the incidents, LASTMA General Manager Olalekan Bakare-Oki described the crashes as avoidable tragedies, expressed condolences to the families of the deceased, and warned motorists to obey traffic regulations. He reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to enforcing road safety laws, rapid emergency response, and intensified public sensitisation to prevent further loss of lives, especially during festive periods.

Nigerian Police Forced To Release FIJ Journalist’s Wife And Nine-Month-Old Baby After Alleged Plot To Lure Reporter Husband For Arrest In Lagos The Nigeria Police Force has been compelled to release Adenike Atanda, the wife of a senior investigative journalist with the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), along with her nine-month-old baby, following public outcry over their controversial detention in Ikorodu, Lagos State. According to FIJ, Adenike and her infant were arrested by police officers in the Owutu area on Monday evening and held for several hours at a local police station. During the detention, officers allegedly instructed her to contact her husband, Sodeeq Atanda, and falsely claim that their baby was ill in order to lure him back home. When the journalist arrived in the neighbourhood, police reportedly intercepted and handcuffed him before transporting him to the Force Headquarters Annex in Obalende, Lagos, where he was detained for hours and released shortly before midnight. Adenike and the baby were released immediately after her husband’s arrest. The incident is believed to be connected to an earlier police invitation issued to Atanda. As of the time of filing this report, the Lagos State Police Command has not issued any official statement explaining the arrests, raising renewed concerns about police misconduct, abuse of power, and threats to press freedom in Nigeria.

Lagos Police Arrest FIJ Journalist Sodeeq Atanda’s Wife and Nine-Month-Old Baby in Ikorodu, Triggering Outrage Over Press Freedom The Lagos State Police Command has reportedly arrested Adenike Atanda, the wife of Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) reporter Sodeeq Atanda, along with their nine-month-old baby in Owutu, Ikorodu. According to FIJ, the arrest occurred on Monday evening after police officers tracked them to their neighbourhood, despite neither the woman nor the infant being journalists. As of the time of reporting, the police had not disclosed any offence committed by them, raising serious concerns about abuse of power, intimidation of journalists, and violations of human rights. The incident has sparked growing criticism over press freedom and law enforcement conduct in Nigeria.

Tragic Lagos Road Accident: Eight-Month-Old Baby and Mother Killed as Speeding Commercial Bus Loses Control on Ikorodu Road, Leaving Several Injured A devastating road accident on Ikorodu Road, Lagos State, has claimed the lives of an eight-month-old baby and her mother, while ten other passengers sustained serious injuries. The crash occurred on Sunday when a red Tata commercial bus, reportedly moving at excessive speed from Palmgroove toward Anthony, lost mechanical and directional control. The vehicle broke through the median barrier and crashed head-on into an oncoming Volkswagen commercial bus. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incident, describing it as a moment of collective grief for the community. Emergency responders rescued injured victims and rushed them to nearby hospitals, while authorities recovered the bodies of the deceased. Officials have renewed calls for motorists, especially commercial drivers, to obey speed limits and ensure vehicle roadworthiness to prevent further loss of lives on Lagos roads. #LagosRoadAccident, #IkoroduRoadCrash, #Road Safety Nigeria

Eight-Month-Old Baby, Woman Killed In Fatal Lagos Road Crash On Ikorodu Road, 10 Others Injured A devastating road accident on Ikorodu Road in Lagos has claimed the lives of an eight-month-old baby and an adult woman after a speeding commercial bus lost control and collided with another vehicle. The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed that the crash occurred between Anthony and Obanikoro when a red Tata bus crossed the median and rammed into a Volkswagen commercial bus. Ten other passengers sustained serious injuries and were rescued by LASTMA operatives and emergency responders, while authorities warned motorists against speeding and poor vehicle maintenance to prevent future tragedies.

28-Year-Old Man Allegedly Consumes Two Bottles of Sniper Poison After Mother Calls Him a Failure. In a distressing turn of events, a 28-year-old man in Ikorodu, Lagos, allegedly consumed two bottles of sniper, a highly toxic insecticide, in front of his mother. The incident, which has sent shockwaves through the community, is reportedly linked to ongoing parental pressure and comparisons with peers. According to local reports and social media circulating the video, the young man was driven to this extreme act due to his parents’ continuous criticism and comparison of his achievements with those of their friends’ children. The video, which has since gone viral, captures the moments leading up to the tragic event, showing the man in a state of distress amidst family members. Eyewitnesses and family sources revealed that despite attempts by those present to intervene, the young man refused help. The situation escalated as he consumed the poison, leading to a frantic response from family members who tried to administer first aid, including red oil and coconut water, in a desperate bid to save his life. The incident has reignited discussions on mental health, parental expectations, and the impact of social comparisons on young adults. Mental health experts have expressed concern over the rising cases of suicide linked to such pressures, urging parents to foster supportive environments rather than ones laden with unrealistic expectations. Local authorities have launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident. Community leaders and mental health advocates are calling for increased awareness and support systems for young adults facing similar pressures. This tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the profound effects that familial dynamics can have on mental well-being, prompting a broader conversation on how society can better support its youth in navigating these challenges.

Court Jails 4 Internet Fraudsters In Lagos. Four young men who turned a Lagos hotel into a hub for online scams have been imprisoned by the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, which found them guilty of internet fraud. In his verdict, Justice Dehinde Dipeolu, convicted Martins Emmanuel, Abeeb Olamide Asiru, Iremide Owolabi and Quadri Abdulrasheed Adio on charges of impersonation and online fraud. A statement on the official Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) X handle said the quartet were arrested on August 29, 2025, when its operatives raided Mambillah Hotel in Ikorodu. The sting operation followed intelligence that the premises were being used as a base by a syndicate of internet fraudsters. Mobile phones and fraudulent documents were recovered from the suspects and tendered in court as evidence. After reviewing their confessional statements and the forensic analysis of their devices, the judge ruled that the EFCC had proved its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

This is just three hours of rain, and everywhere is flooded - Residents. According to a report by the Punch on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, Lagos State faced severe disruption on Tuesday as torrential rainfall triggered extensive flooding across multiple areas of the metropolis, submerging major roads and residential neighborhoods. The flooding, which occurred just weeks after similar incidents caused substantial damage in the Ikorodu area, left motorists stranded and residents unable to access their homes and businesses. From Ago Palace Way in Okota to Ikorodu, Akowonjo, and Lekki, floodwaters overtook streets and properties, creating chaotic conditions during the morning commute. The situation was particularly dire in the Akowonjo area, where one frustrated resident captured the severity of the situation, noting: "This is just three hours of rain, and everywhere is flooded." This sentiment echoed throughout affected communities as water levels rose rapidly despite the relatively short duration of rainfall. The flooding created massive traffic gridlocks on several major highways, with vehicles moving at a crawl through waterlogged roads. In some areas, cars broke down completely, further exacerbating the transportation crisis. Residents of Osapa London in Lekki reported that even ride-sharing drivers were avoiding their area due to concerns about vehicle damage from the floodwaters. The situation repeated a pattern seen in recent weeks, raising concerns about the adequacy of drainage infrastructure in Africa's most populous city. While state officials have acknowledged the challenges posed by Lagos's coastal location and climate change impacts, residents and commuters continue to call for more effective and permanent solutions to the recurring flooding problems that disrupt lives and damage property throughout the rainy season.

TikTok personality Habeeb Hamzat aka Peller has voiced concern over the level of hunger in the country after recalling how a friend travelled from Ikorodu to Lagos Island just to eat at celebrity chef Hilda Baci’s cooking event. In a viral video shared on X, Peller said the incident highlighted the struggles Nigerians are facing. According to him, his friend Taiwo had left Ikorodu for the Island, where Baci was attempting a Guinness World Record, simply to get food. He said, “That Hilda Baci’s cooking event [made me realise] Nigerians is (sic) very hungry. E get one of my friend that time, from Ikorodu him come Hilda Baci’s cooking Guinness record. He wants to come & collect maggi, I swear to God. I said, Taiwo, your life has bended. And that guy I dey always how him love o. I don’t know how his life take reach like that…” On September 12, Nigerians gathered at Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos to witness Guinness World Record holder & food influencer Hilda Baci cook the largest pot of Jollof rice ever made.

Ebonyi Man Treks 600km to Thank Governor, Receives ₦10m Gift. Comrade Jeremiah Obaji, an Ebonyi native residing in Lagos, has received a ₦10 million cash gift from Governor Francis Nwifuru after embarking on a 17-day trek from Ikorodu, Lagos, to Abakaliki. The journey was his way of showing gratitude to the governor for restoring peace in Effium community. Setting out on August 21 and arriving on September 7, Obaji covered over 600 kilometers on foot. He described the effort as his “sacrifice of gratitude” for the governor’s intervention in the Ezza-Effium confl+ct through the establishment of five autonomous communities. “I didn’t know I was crit+cising my saviour. I f+ught him on social media, not knowing he would be the one to bring peace to my community. This trek was my sacrifice of gratitude. Peace is priceless,” Obaji said. [9/9, 5:50 PM] null: Reflecting on the journey, he narrated his ordeals which included hunger, fatigue, and insect bites. “I faced hunger, fatigue, and insect bites, and at some point had to abandon my jeans due to blisters, and at a point I became afraid of being kidn+pped,” he added. As word of his trek spread online, admirers offered various gifts ranging from a car and landed property to financial support. Governor Nwifuru, who received him in Abakaliki, praised the act as proof of the impact of his administration’s People’s Charter of Needs policy. He then announced a ₦10 million reward to support Obaji’s recovery and encourage his advocacy for peace. Obaji, however, emphasized that his mission extends beyond material gains. “I am not hungry. God has blessed me in business. What I want now is to become an ambassador of peace,” he stated, revealing plans to launch a Peace Foundation dedicated to promoting non-violence and assisting children displaced by conflict.

Court Orders DNA Test on Late Mohbad’s Son. The Magistrate Court in Ikorodu has directed that DNA tests be carried out on Liam Aloba, the son of late Nigerian singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad. The order was issued on Tuesday by Magistrate Adefisoye Sonuga following an application filed by Mohbad’s father, Joseph Aloba, who sought to confirm the child’s paternity. The court mandated that two separate DNA tests be conducted ,one in an accredited hospital in Nigeria and another abroad. Both parties or their representatives are required to be present during the sample collection. In his application, Aloba argued that uncertainty over Liam’s paternity makes the test necessary, especially as it affects issues of child welfare and maintenance obligations. He requested that tissue or hair samples be taken from the late singer’s remains at the Military Hospital in Yaba for the purpose of the test. During Tuesday’s proceedings, Aloba was represented by Augustine Adegbemi from Dr. Wahab Shittu (SAN) & Co., while Kabir Akingbolu appeared for Mohbad’s widow, Omowunmi Cynthia Aloba. With no objection from the respondent’s counsel, the court granted the application as prayed. The matter was adjourned until November 11, 2025, for further proceedings.

Court orders two DNA tests on late Mohbad's son. The Magistrate Court in Ikorodu has directed that two Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) tests be carried out on Liam Aloba, the son of late Nigerian singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad. Magistrate Adefisoye Sonuga issued the order on Tuesday while ruling on an application filed by the singer’s father, Joseph Aloba, who sought a paternity test. The late Mohbad’s wife, Omowunmi Cynthia Aloba, was listed as the respondent in the application brought under the Family Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) 2012 and the Magistrate Courts (Civil Procedure) Rules 2009. The application requested that samples be taken from the remains of the deceased at the Military Hospital in Yaba for use in conducting the tests, either within Lagos or in another recognised facility outside the state. It further sought approval for a separate test to be conducted abroad at the applicant’s expense. In court filings, Aloba argued that uncertainty about Liam’s paternity made it necessary to conclusively settle the matter, stressing its importance for maintenance obligations and the child’s welfare. At the hearing, Aloba was represented by Augustine Adegbemi from the chambers of Dr Wahab Shittu (SAN) & Co., while Kabir Akingbolu appeared for the respondent. The application was moved without opposition, leading the magistrate to grant the request. The court directed that the tests be conducted in accredited hospitals in Nigeria and abroad, with both parties or their representatives present during sample collection. The matter was adjourned to November 11, 2025, for further proceedings.

JUST IN: The Magistrate Court in Ikorodu today ordered that DNA tests be conducted on Liam Aloba, the son of late Nigerian singer, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

One Dead, Two Injured In Ikorodu Road Accident One person has died and two others injured in an auto crash at the Idi-Iroko inward Ogolonto axis of Ikorodu Road, Lagos. According to the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the accident occurred when a fully loaded commercial Mazda bus (LND 490 SD), recklessly vying for right of way, rammed into a fast-moving articulated truck (EKY 121 YJ). A passenger seated at the doorway of the bus was thrown off and crushed under the truck’s tires, dying instantly. Two others — a male and a female — sustained severe injuries and were rushed to Ikorodu General Hospital by LASAMBUS. LASTMA confirmed that the deceased’s body was handed over to his family, while both vehicles were evacuated to restore traffic flow. Source: Channels TV #Ikorodu #Accident #Lagos

Lagos To Begin Second Phase Of Ogudu–Ifako Bridge Repairs Wednesday. The Lagos State Government says it will commence the second phase of repair works on the Ogudu–Ifako Bridge (inbound Island) on Wednesday, September 3, 2025. Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, noting that alternative routes have been mapped out to ease movement for motorists during the period. Alternative Routes Oshodi-bound motorists from Lagos–Ibadan Expressway/Toll Gate → use Ojota Slip Road → connect Ikorodu Road (inward Anthony, by Taxi Park). Victoria Island-bound motorists → Ojota Slip Road → Ikorodu Road (inward Anthony, by Town Planning Way) → Gbagada → Third Mainland Bridge → Lagos Island. Motorists from Ikeja & environs → proceed via Maryland → Ikorodu Road/Funsho Williams Avenue → Eko Bridge → Outer Marina. Government Appeal Osiyemi said the second phase of repairs follows a review of the initial traffic management plan used during the first phase of the project. “The partial closure of the bridge is a necessary part of the maintenance programme. Motorists are therefore urged to be patient and bear with the temporary inconvenience in the interest of improved road infrastructure,” he stated. He also urged drivers to maintain lane discipline, cooperate with Traffic Management Officers, and plan their trips in advance to minimise congestion. The bridge maintenance is part of a wider effort by the Lagos State Ministry of Works and Infrastructure to sustain critical road infrastructure and improve traffic flow in the state.

Women, children suffer as communities battle diseases after deadly flood. Each rainy season, floodwaters relentlessly engulf homes and livelihoods across Nigeria, turning dreams into despair. From Lagos, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Rivers, Yobe, and beyond, families find themselves battling rising waters that swallow everything in their path, forcing desperate escapes, destroying property, and leaving lasting scars on communities already struggling to survive. IDOWU ABDULLAHI reports When the rain began on the evening of August 3, 2025, Mrs. Abdulrazaq Suliat did not suspect that her family would spend the night fighting for survival. The downpour, which lasted several hours, soon turned into a flood that swallowed her Ikorodu home in Lagos State and left her children in danger. What began as drizzle that formed shallow puddles soon swelled into raging streams, creeping into homes and shops in the area. For more than seven relentless hours, the rain hammered down heavily, swallowing every path and corner leading to Suliat’s community and others in the Ijede area of Ikorodu. While battling for her children’s lives in the flood with a phone’s torchlight as the only saving grace, she watched helplessly as their belongings floated past her, and some were buried under the water. By past 12 in midnight, her home was no longer a place of safety but a cottage of fear. Within hours, the flood had risen above their beds. Her nine-year-old son was the first to sense danger. “My little child, about 9 years old, was the first to jump up in fear, because the water had splashed all over his face and eyes while he was asleep. He ran to me shouting ‘Mummy!’ When I looked around, the water had reached the bed in the room. In the parlour, it had covered all the electronics like the radio, chairs, things on the floor, and shelves,” she told our correspondent while showing him around the ruins on August 19, 2025.

Ondo Man Loses ₦81,000 to Facebook Vendor in Gas Cylinder Scam Whether Peter Ejiata Lucky is the same person as Taiwo Abdulazeez, whose Moniepoint account received ₦81,000 from Ondo-based Moses Babajide on August 12, remains unclear. What is certain, however, is that Babajide would never have interacted with them if Lucky had not advertised a gas cylinder on a Facebook group. Babajide’s father in Lagos needed a cylinder to start a small gas refilling business. When Babajide saw an advert in the Facebook group Ikorodu Fairly Used Items for Sale, he reached out. After chatting on Facebook and later on WhatsApp, Lucky shared two phone numbers—09013881406 and 07084720226—and agreed to sell the cylinder for ₦81,000. To ease delivery, Babajide booked a Bolt ride to pick up the cylinder from Magodo and drop it at his father’s residence in Ayobo. Lucky even sent a picture showing the cylinder inside the car’s boot. The vendor then shared a Moniepoint account number: 8191168506, under the name Taiwo Abdulazeez Ipadeola. Suspicious about the mismatch of names, Babajide questioned him. Lucky claimed it was his real name and that he used the Facebook account only for marketing. On call, he later said it was a “friend’s account.” Trusting him, Babajide made the transfer. But after payment, the supposed vendor stopped picking his calls. To complicate matters, he told the Bolt driver he had never shared a Moniepoint account, but rather an OPay account, an attempt to cause confusion. The driver, frustrated, left after Lucky removed the cylinder from the boot. He even accused Babajide of wasting his time, forcing Babajide to send him ₦2,000 in apology. When contacted by FIJ, the vendor admitted receiving the money and claimed a refund was possible since Moniepoint had placed a lien on the account. He promised to fund the account for reversal, but after repeated WhatsApp chats, he failed to do so. By Friday, his WhatsApp number was no longer registered on the platform. Meanwhile, two days after the incident, Babajide used an acquaintance’s Facebook account to test the waters. The same vendor responded, saying the cylinder was still available—this time claiming it was located at Ijegun, not Magodo. Babajide now believes that Lucky and Abdulazeez may be running an organised scam. He noted that the phone numbers given to him were linked to WhatsApp Business accounts such as RPM Garage LLC and Ejiata Enterprises Limited, which advertise electronics, property, and other services. For him, the elaborate setup was designed to make unsuspecting buyers believe they were dealing with legitimate businesses—until their money vanished. #OnlineScam #FacebookFraud

House of Reps pass bill to increase Lagos local governments from 20 to 57. The House of Representatives has approved a bill seeking to recognise the 37 development area councils in Lagos as full-fledged Local Government Areas (LGAs). If signed into law, the bill will raise the number of LGAs in Lagos from 20 to 57. The legislation, titled A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), to Accommodate the Thirty-Seven (37) Development Area Councils of Lagos State as Full-Fledged Local Government Areas, was among 42 constitution amendment bills passed by the lower chamber on Wednesday. It was co-sponsored by James Abiodun Faleke (Ikeja federal constituency), Babajimi Benson (Ikorodu federal constituency), Enitan Dolapo Badru (Lagos Island I federal constituency), and 19 other lawmakers. The bill scaled second reading during a plenary session presided over by Benjamin Kalu, Deputy Speaker of the House. If enacted, the total number of LGAs in Nigeria will rise from 774 to 811. The change would also make Lagos the state with the highest number of LGAs in the country, overtaking Kano (44) and Katsina (34). #Howofreppasslocalbill #

Lagos Coroner Orders Hospital to Release Records on #EndSARS Journalist Pelumi Onifade’s Death A Lagos coroner has given Ikorodu General Hospital seven days to provide records on the deposit, release, or current status of the remains of Pelumi Onifade, a Gboah TV reporter who died in police custody during the 2020 #EndSARS protests. The order follows a Federal High Court directive for a full investigation into his death. #EndSARS #JusticeForPelumi #PressFreedom #NigeriaNews

Lagos Govt Urges Residents in Lekki, Ikorodu, Others to Relocate as Heavy Rains Persist. The Lagos State Government has urged residents in flood-prone communities across parts of Lekki, Ikorodu, and Ajegunle to relocate to safer, elevated areas, warning that the state is at high risk of flooding due to continued heavy rainfall. Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said residents in low-lying areas such as Ajegunle (Ajilete axis), Majidun in Ikorodu, and some parts of the Lekki corridor must move immediately to avoid disaster. “Epe, Mushin, and Ikeja are safe,” Wahab clarified, but warned residents in Isheri (OPIC axis) to also stay alert, noting that Lagos, being a coastal city, remains highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. He revealed that predictions from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) indicate that Lagos will receive significantly more rainfall this year compared to 2024. He emphasized the need for those living in flood-prone zones to temporarily move to higher grounds until the rainy season subsides. On Monday, several communities across Lagos were flooded following prolonged rainfall that began Sunday night and lasted till evening the next day. Viral videos showed submerged streets, homes, and vehicles, as clogged drainage systems failed to manage the overflow, disrupting daily life and economic activities. While assuring residents that the government is intensifying efforts to clear drainages and expand water channels, Wahab called for calm and responsibility among citizens. “We won’t deceive Lagosians. Flash floods will happen. But our job is to provide resilient infrastructure and reduce the impact,” he said. “When nature acts, we can only mitigate.”