News

Delta govt begins demolition of illegal structures on university lands

Delta State Government, on Monday, commenced demolition of illegal structures built on lands belonging to Dennis Osadebay University, Anwai-Asaba.

Speaking during the demolition exercise, Chairman of the Task Force, Chief Frank Omare, said they were mandated by the state government to recover all government lands illegally occupied by individuals or corporate bodies across the state.

On complaints by the students living on the demolished properties, Omare said their supposed landlords ought to have informed them, adding that some rogue landlords collected a year’s rent from some students just last week even after they had been given notice to leave the area.

He said the university authority has provided alternative accommodation arrangements for such students.

“Clearly where we are now is the university land and it is meant for the Faculty of Agriculture of the Dennis Osadebay University, more than 1000 persons have encroached on the land and built illegal structures, amid illegal approvals.

“We gave them notice to vacate the land five months ago. We were patient enough to go round informing them so that tomorrow they will not say they were not given enough notice.

“So whatever you are seeing here is a determination of the government of Delta State to bring about rule of law and to respect the laws of the land because we cannot allow land grabbers to begin to sell all kinds of lands.

“This is just a starting point because ‘the falling away of the yellow leaves is a warning to the green ones’. At Federal College of Education Technical Asaba, those who have built there illegally, we are coming for them,” he warned.

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics and Research, Dennis Osadebay University, Prof Robert Oghenedoro Dode, said; “this is the first time I am seeing this level of impunity where people encroach not just on the university but government lands and sell them to people to build massive structures.

“This is the university land meant for the Faculty of Agriculture and we thank the government for doing the right thing.

“Some people claimed that the university sold the land to them, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Ben Oghojafor has challenged those making such claims to come up with such evidence or take him to court.

“Let it be on record that Dennis Osadebay University has never or ever contemplated and will never give out a portion of the university land to anybody either by sale or whatever.”

Also speaking, Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Prof Chukwuji Christopher, advised illegal occupiers to relocate “because ab initio there was no understanding between them and the university on the illegal structures built on the land.”

He warned vendors and buyers to stay away from government land, adding that “nobody can be greater than the government. Nobody is to be spared, and nobody is being spared today”.

The demolition of the properties followed expiration of notice issued to the illegal property owners.

News

NAFDAC seals Abuja supermarket over sale and distribution of banned, unregistered, and counterfeit products

The National Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC, has sealed up a supermarket located in Maitama, Abuja, for the sale and distribution of banned, unregistered, and counterfeit regulated products.

A statement from the agency says the supermarket also obstructed NAFDAC officers during the enforcement of regulatory actions.

During an initial visit, NAFDAC stated that its inspectors discovered several banned and unregistered items.

“Despite being invited to the Agency for further investigation, the supermarket’s management refused to comply.

“This prompted a follow-up operation by an enforcement team, during which the team also faced obstruction.”the statement read

The agency added that items seized from the premises include unregistered pet food, banned imported soaps, and counterfeit or re-bagged rice, among others.

News

Lagos sales manager remanded, accused of stealing N32.2m from boss

A 25-year-old sales manager, Olatunbosun Olarewaju, has been remanded in Ikoyi Prison after being accused of masterminding a shocking N32.2 million theft from his employer, just months after securing the job.

The police at Adeniji Adele Division, Lagos Island, said Olarewaju allegedly abused the trust of his boss, Mr Victor Ibe, by selling goods worth N32.2 million and diverting the proceeds into multiple personal accounts before disappearing.

According to police investigators, the lid was blown off the alleged scheme when Ibe conducted an audit and discovered a massive shortfall in stock value.

Acting swiftly, the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, launched an intelligence-driven manhunt that led to Olarewaju’s arrest at a hideout in Lagos.

Following the investigation led by Sergeant Abraham Friday, Olarewaju was arraigned before the Tinubu Magistrate’s Court, Lagos Island, on a two-count charge of conspiracy and stealing.

Prosecuting counsel, Inspector Ishola Samuel, told the court that the offences took place between August 2024 and April 14, 2025, at 23 Princess Street, Lagos Island.

He said Olarewaju, entrusted with managing and selling his employer’s goods, instead chose to divert millions of naira into his private coffers.

The offences, Samuel said, contravened Sections 411 and 287(7) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2015.

Olarewaju, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Presiding Magistrate A.A. Paul granted him bail in the sum of N1 million, with two sureties in like sum, but ordered his remand at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre until he meets the conditions.

The case has been adjourned until May 27, 2025, for further mention.

News

Military kills over 100 terrorists, rescue 21 hostages — DHQ

The Defence Headquarters, DHQ, has announced major successes in its ongoing counter-terrorism and anti-oil theft operations across Nigeria, with over 100 terrorists killed, 100 suspects arrested, and 21 kidnapped victims rescued between April 17 and 25, 2025.

Director of Defence Media Operations, Major General Markus Kangye, disclosed the achievements in a statement on Friday.

Kangye noted that coordinated offensives across the North East, North West, North Central, South South, and South East regions yielded substantial results.

“In the North East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai launched aggressive offensives leading to the surrender of ISWAP/JAS elements and the elimination of dozens of terrorists,” Kangye said.

In the North West, troops under Operation Fagge Yamma neutralized several insurgents, arrested suspects, and rescued victims in Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Katsina States.

In the North Central zone, Operations Safe Haven and Whirl Stroke also recorded significant success. Between April 18–22, troops acting on credible intelligence arrested over 37 criminal suspects in Plateau and Kaduna States.

In the South East, troops under Operation Udoka carried out successful raids in Imo, Enugu, Anambra, and Ebonyi States, killing terrorists, arresting suspects, and recovering arms and explosives. Notably, four kidnapped victims were rescued during these missions.

In the South South, troops of Operation Delta Safe targeted illegal refining sites and oil theft networks, destroying equipment and seizing crude oil and petroleum products worth over ₦94 million.

“Between April 18 and 22, troops made contact with terrorists in several communities, seizing weapons, mobile phones, motorcycles, and IEDs,” Kangye added