News

Dozens displaced, properties destroyed as Lagos Govt demolishes Costain Market

Dozens of traders were rendered homeless and goods worth millions of naira destroyed on Thursday following the demolition of the popular Costain Market in Lagos by the state government.

The exercise was carried out by a joint enforcement team comprising officials of the Lagos State Task Force, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, and the Kick Against Indiscipline, KAI, under the supervision of the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Transport, Mr Sola Giwa.

Eyewitnesses told reporters that the operation began in the early afternoon, with bulldozers and armed operatives storming the market.

Traders and passersby were reportedly dispersed with teargas before rows of shops, makeshift stalls, and a nearby mosque were demolished.

The sudden action threw the area into chaos, as traders scrambled to rescue their wares from the debris.

Some traders alleged that the demolition came without prior notice.

One of the affected business owners, Mr Alfred Wisdom, who produces snacks, said he lost over N5 million in cash and goods.

“It happened around 1 p.m. I was heading to Victoria Island for delivery when I saw Task Force vehicles approaching. By the time I got back, they had broken into my shop and carted away my sales. They said our businesses were illegal. It’s heartbreaking,” he lamented.

Wisdom also recalled that the demolition came just months after the destruction of the Otumara community, which displaced more than 500,000 residents.

“It feels like we’re being targeted. We got no warning, no chance to remove our property,” he added tearfully.

As of press time, the Lagos State Government had not released an official statement explaining the reason for the demolition or clarifying whether displaced traders would receive compensation.

News

Unmet demands: Resident doctors begin indefinite strike November 1

The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors, NARD, says it will begin an indefinite nationwide strike starting November 1, 2025.

This was contained in a statement released by NARD President, Mohammad Suleiman, on Sunday.

The statement noted that the strike directive was issued after the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum earlier given to the Federal Government over unresolved demands.

The decision was taken after a five-hour meeting of the association’s National Executive Council, NEC, on Saturday.

“The NEC has marshalled out minimum demands, strike monitoring directives, and ‘no work, no pay/no pay, no work’ resolutions needed for a successful execution of this action.

“Today, after a 5-hour Extra-Ordinary National Executive Council Meeting, the members of NEC have issued out new marching orders to us once again.

“The NEC has unanimously directed us to declare a total, comprehensive and indefinite strike action to commence on Friday 31st October 2025 at 11:59 pm,” the statement said.

News

Police arrest four over alleged murder of man lured by girlfriend in Sokoto

The Sokoto State Police Command has arrested four suspects, including a woman, over the gruesome killing of a young man in what investigators described as a case of criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, and robbery.

In a statement on Saturday, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ahmed Rufa’i, said the incident occurred on October 4, 2025, in Gidan Kacha, Gada Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

According to the police, the victim, identified as Ali Salisu from Darnawa village, had travelled to Gidan Kacha to visit his girlfriend, Rukayya Amadu. Unknown to him, Rukayya had allegedly conspired with another boyfriend, Hamisu Ibrahim, to lure him into a deadly trap.

Police investigations revealed that Rukayya and Hamisu led the unsuspecting victim to Dabagi bush, where Hamisu allegedly ambushed and strangled him with a rope before stealing his red Kasea motorcycle.

Further investigations showed that the stolen motorcycle was later taken to Sokoto, where Lawali Abdullahi and Ibrahim Abdullahi allegedly received it without confirming its ownership.

“All four suspects have been arrested and are in custody. They will face charges of criminal conspiracy, culpable homicide, armed robbery, and receiving stolen property,” DSP Rufa’i said.

The Commissioner of Police commended the swift action of the investigative team and reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

“This tragic case highlights the importance of vigilance and personal security awareness,” the statement read.

The Command also urged members of the public to report suspicious activities promptly.

Police encouraged residents to share information anonymously through official channels, assuring the public of continued efforts to maintain peace and security through proactive policing and community partnership.

News

Police arrest two suspects fleeing robbery scene in Niger

Police in Niger State have arrested two fleeing robbery suspects, Aliyu Salihu, 25, and Jibrin Ndako, 22, both from Barkin-Saleh, Minna, the state capital.

The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, in a statement, said the suspects were apprehended on October 22, 2025, at about 6:45 pm in the Tungan-Shanu area of Maje, while attempting to escape to Kogi State.

According to the police spokesperson, “During investigation, it was revealed that the two suspects, armed with cutlasses, had robbed a student in his lodge in Bida of the motorcycle, four handsets and a sum of forty thousand naira on same date at about 2:30 am.

“The suspects confessed to the crime and said that they were escaping to Kogi State before the arrest.”

He also explained that exhibits recovered from the suspects include the motorcycle, four handsets, two ATM cards, and N7,000 remaining from the loot.

The suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Minna for further investigation.