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LASTMA CONDUCTS ADVANCED TRAINING ON MENTAL WELL-BEING AND TRAUMA CARE FOR SENIOR OFFICERS AT OSHODI

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By Ebinum Samuel

 

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) today organized a one-day Advanced Training Workshop themed “Mental Well-Being and Trauma Care” for its senior officers at the Agency’s Training Room, Oshodi, Lagos.

The impactful session was spearheaded by the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, and featured a distinguished lecture by Professor Akindotun Merino, President of JARS Educational Group, U.S.A., and Founder of the Africa Trauma Care Alliance. Professor Merino, a renowned mental health advocate, delivered deep insights into the psychological dynamics of trauma, resilience, and emotional intelligence in high-stress work environments.

In his opening remarks, Mr. Bakare-Oki urged participants to engage proactively with the training, emphasizing the critical importance of psychological stability in public service delivery.

He stressed that the advanced training would go a long way in ensuring effectiveness and prompt service delivery to all road users particularly motoring public.

“The Lagos State Government continues to invest significantly in the professional advancement of LASTMA personnel through structured training, retraining programmes, and the provision of modern operational tools and safety kits,” he stated.

He further stressed that mental wellness is essential for officers tasked with managing the intense pressures of traffic control in a bustling metropolis like Lagos.

The training underscores LASTMA’s commitment to fostering a mentally resilient and emotionally intelligent workforce—capable of executing its mandate with empathy, efficiency, and professionalism.

Other participants at the advanced training includes all Directors, Comptrollers, Commanders and including LASTMA Unit Heads.

Conflict Of Role Weakens Due Process In Administration Of Criminal Justice – Argungu

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By Ebinum Samuel

 

The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd mni has identified conflict of roles as a result of uncertainty of mandate as one of the key challenges /threats confronting the due process application and compliance in the administration of criminal justice instruments in Nigeria. He called for defined roles for the nation’s security Agencies so that their mandates will not be ambiguous and conflicting.

The PSC Chairman also called for the review of the nation’s current passive justice systems as currently in place at the Federal and state Government levels.

DIG Argungu was speaking today, Thursday, May 15th 2025 at a one day Programne for Security Agencies, Criminal Justice Organisations and other Related bodies to review, appraise and explore the nuances associated with implementation and compliance of salient features and provisions of Administration of Criminal Justice Instruments in Abuja by
CLEEN FOUNDATION in conjunction with the Nigeria Police Force.

He delivered the Programme’s Key note address titled ‘The Executive Forum for Efficient implementation of the administration of criminal justice Regime in Nigeria’.

He also identified lack of funds, globalisation and computerisation, intra/inter Service conflict, unnecessary competition, and petty jealousy as some of the other draw backs in the implementation of the Regime.

DIG Argungu also mentioned lack of coordination and collaboration, ignorance of roles and functions, politicisation of crime and security issues and called on the Federal Government and State Governments to review the current passive justice systems at their various levels

He also called on the National Assembly and State Assemblies to review the nation’s laws in line with current globalisation as it affects the country.

According to the Commission’s spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, the PSC Chairman recommended that the Attorney General of the Federation, Ministry of Interior and Foreign Affairs should organize workshops for the Investigative and prosecution bodies on provisions of Mutual Legal Assistance in criminal matters and electronic evidence in enhancing successful and easy investigation/prosecution of criminal cases where suspects reside in other nations.

He said the democratic institutions and other components which constitute criminal justice system be encouraged to work in coordinate of justice as any organ that acts wrongly may affect the whole system.

DIG Argungu said the National Human Rights Commission should liaise with stakeholders which have direct bearing on the daily operations of the components of criminal Justice system and general public for support in areas of operations.

Professionalism On Focus In Zone 2 Police

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By Ebinum Samuel

In 1986, due to the robbery exploits of Lawrence Anini and his gang in defunct Bendel State, the Military Government led by General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida mooted the idea of creating Zonal Police Commands in attempt to nip in the bud all forms of violent crimes in Nigeria.
This noble idea gave birth to no fewer than 10 Zonal Police Commands accross the nation.
The Zone 2 was among the newly created zones with headquarters at Eleweran in Abeokuta, Ogun State. The first Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG, to be appointed for the Zone was Alhaji Ibrahim Aliyu Atta. A year after his appointment, and, due to the cosmopolitan nature of Lagos, also, being the capital of Nigeria, the authority decided to relocate the headquarters of the Zone from Abeokuta to the current site in Onikan, Lagos.
Close to 40 years of the Zone existence, no fewer than 35 AIGs were deployed to the zone within this period.
In the annals of policing in this Zone, some of these top Cops performed creditably, why some failed woefully .
To visitors, stake holders in policing, crime reporters and the general public, there is a paradigm shift in policing at the Zone presently. At least, a retired top cop, Dr Olayinka Balogun, last week, at the Zone attested to this.

According to him, “professionalism, proactive policing has become the order of day here in Zone 2. I’m not surprised because if the head is rotten, it affects other parts of the body. “This officer, Fayoade, the AIG in charge, is a cool – headed officer with listening ears, respect for both the young and the old. He and his officers are equally up to the task of protecting lives and property in Lagos and Ogun states” said Balogun who retired from the police force as a Commissioner of Police.
Joining Balogun to shower encomium on zone 2 officers led by AIG Adegoke Mustapha Fayaode, is Architect Peter Jatto.
In his words, Jatto said, ” some of the signs of professionalism in policemen and women includes: strong communication skills, ability to work under sressful conditions,team work, proactiveness, listening to all, not biased, not doing anything for pecuniary reason,calmness in difficult situations,commitment to Justice, fairness to all, willingness in serving the community, problems solving and crime combating. All these virtues, the head of Zone 2 , Fayoade is endowed with. So anywhere he’s posted, he orientate his officers with all these” said Jatto.
In his view, a Security Expert, Daniel Anuforo, “the AIG trajectory is about insightfulness, intellectual engagement, good rapport with everyone and proactiveness. He doesn’t wait for problems to occur before taking steps to solve such problems. “Let me say with all equanimity that the AIG and his officers are men and women who takes delight, passion and perseverance in dealing with difficult people and difficult situations. “This is why everyone wants his or her case to be treated at the Zone. “People are moving cases from Lagos and Ogun states police commands to Zone 2 because of their beliefs that justice will be served. I think this is not unconnected with the AIG willingness to listen to all. You can see the crowd here today” Anuforo stated.

On the crime situation in the Zone , a senior crime reporter who pleaded anoymity, said that violent crimes such as kidnapping, armed robbery and ritual killings are on the barest minimum in this past six months. He attributed this to the professional manners officers of the zone deals with such cases.
He also revealed that the zone under Fayoade has been very collaborative with sisters agencies, students, members of the Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC, Corporate bodies, retired police and military officers, various unions, professionals and market leaders in Lagos and Ogun States.
“Gone are the days when if you have a minor case at the Zone, the Investigating Police Officer, IPO, would want to extort huge sums of money like 500k, 1million , 2million from such person. “Those days are gone for good . Everyone in Lagos and Ogun states heard how police operatives from Zone 2 within 3 months rejected hundreds of millions of naira and hard currencies from ‘yahoo’ boys and other undesirable elements. This is not only professionalism on display, but policing with the fear of God and integrity” the senior crime reporter said.

INEC: The Reforms We Need

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By Ayo Oyoze Baje

Quote:

“Nigerian politicians have over the years become more desperate and daring
in taking and retaining power; more reckless and greedy in their use and abuse of power;
and more intolerant of opposition, criticism and efforts at replacing them”
– (Electoral Reform Committee Report, 2008, Vol. 1: 19).

With the recent revelation made by Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu that he still remains the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), despite insinuation to the contrary and series of controversies that trailed the conduct of the 2023 presidential election, his promise to institute reforms before the 2027 general elections has become an imperative. That is more so, because the conduct of the Edo state governorship election in 2024, couched with the might – is – right syndrome has left a sour taste in the mouth of millions of concerned Nigerians. And they keep asking the pertinent question: Can we ever get it right in the conduit of Nigeria’s electoral process? Will our votes really count?

But good enough, INEC, according to Yakubu is collaborating with the National Assembly to effect key electoral reforms, including those requiring amendments to the Constitution and the Electoral Act. He disclosed this in a recent media chat in Abuja that following a comprehensive review of the 2023 general elections, INEC submitted 142 recommendations, of which eight necessitate constitutional or statutory amendments.

Yet, the all-important questions persist. Can we ever get it right, as it was in the 1993 general elections under Prof. Humphrey Nwosu
as the then Chairman of the Electoral Commission, which produced Chief M.K.O.Abiola (of blessed memory) as the president, though he was outrightly denied by the Major General Ibrahim Babangida-led military junta? Can we conduct elections free of political violence; without mudslinging, smear campaigns, without ballot box snatching, threats and intimidation of perceived political opponents openly bu paid political thugs? Can it be devoid of ethno-religious sentiments? Will the IRev and other technology – based machines malfunction again, with glitches during the governorship and presidential elections with excuses given as it took place in 2023? Will INEC officials deliver the election materials to the polling units, promptly as at when due? Can we have Nigerians in the Diaspora voting with the assurance that their votes will count? Yet, there is a fundamental issue to resolve once and for all.

That has to do with the obnoxious muscle – flexing primarily based on the humongous sums paid by the candidates at the political party level. Instead of the huge sums of between N40 million to N100 million paid by the presidential candidates as it was in 2023 what about pegging it to a maximum of N5 million?.Yes, you read me right. Must politicking always be fixated on money? Can’t the members of each party contribute to fund the running of their secretariats? These are the flaming questions waiting to be quenched.

If winning is not about the candidate’s people-oriented vision, policies and programs, his mental or professional capability and capacity, to solve the myriad of social, economic and infrastructural challenges that still bedevil the country, in the 21st century, how can we have elections of international standard?

It all means that the game and gambits to appropriate political power come 2027 is therefore, going to be dirty and messy, in line with the Machiavellian doctrine. The prowling predators will muzzle the helpless preys; driven of course, by the jungle matrix of might-is- right!

Or, is yours truly turning into an alarmist, ringing the dooms-day bell? Only time will tell. But if in doubt consider and reflect on the unconstitutional suspension of Gov, Simi Fubara of Rivers state and the gale of defections of some political helmsmen, including state governors to the all-conquering APC! Certainly, the opposition or coalition against the APC should be ready for a long-drawn battle.

It is based on the imperative of having elections that produce the people’s choice as the eventual winners that yours truly was the Guest Lecturer at the 2018 Independence Anniversary Lecture organized by Nigeria Peace Group (NPG) at Le Paris Hotel, Lekki, Lagos. The topic was: ‘Panacea for Peaceful Elections in Nigeria- Evaluating the roles of Politicians, Citizens, Security personnel, INEC and the Civil Society’. The conclusion arrived at then was that INEC will continue to need the full support of all the stakeholders to succeed at the subsequent elections. And it is going to be more so, this time around in 2027 because the challenges are enormous.

Lest we forget, as reiterated in my opinion essay titled: ‘That INEC May Succeed in 2023 Elections’ severally published in May 2022, free, fair, credible and peaceful elections that are of internationally accepted standards form the firm and solid foundation on which to build the house of democracy, anywhere in the world. But sad to say, that here in Nigeria these belong to the realm of one’s fecund imagination; the surreal sphere, or sheer idealism. With an aberrant political structure, largely predicated on money and materialism, the centripetal force and push for political power is more to serve the greed and epicurean tastes of the average Nigerian politician than for the common good.
The political pendulum therefore, always swings towards the self rather than the state. And that explains one’s persisting worry about the search for good governance, anchored on sustainable economic progress in the national interest, which has remained an elusive rainbow, for decades, from one administration to another.

Worthy of note is that the statutory functions of INEC are well spelt out in Section15,Part 1of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution(as Amended). So it is in Section 2 of the Electoral Act 2010.The subsisting laws empower INEC to conduct elections into elective political offices. These include executive offices such as that of the president, vice president, governors and their deputy. Also listed are elections into legislative offices such as the Senate and House of Representatives.

Going forward, INEC has to be firm on the issue of campaigns. They must be free of political violence
As the sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo rightly noted: “Violence has never been an instrument used by us, as founding fathers of the Nigerian Republic, to solve political problems.” The way and manner some politicians go about their vile vituperation during campaigns couched with outright insults and innuendoes despite the several peace pacts signed gives cause for concern. By leaving much of the substance of good governance to the base sentiments of religion and ethnicity it is obvious we may still be far from the Promised Land. Stiffer penalties must therefore, be meted out to all those involved in one electoral malfeasance or another. That should include any INEC official taking bribes from any candidate to manipulate election results
Stiff penalties
will serve as strong deterrence to other miscreants.

Furthermore, INEC should frontally tackle the often delayed updating of the voter register and the distribution of the much-needed permanent voter cards/PVCs. It should build on the achievements so far made. These include the computerization of the electoral system, the coding of ballot papers, ballot boxes and polling units. Let us learn a lesson or two from other countries where elections are carried out even on week days, peacefully without shutting down the national economy.

All said, the choices Nigerians will make in 2027 will shape the future of democratic dispensation in Nigeria and eventually determine our destiny as a people. As rightly advised by Saminu Kanti:“Any leader who feels the pain and fights for you, support him or you lose. But if that leader doesn’t feel the pain and fight for you, don’t support him, fight for yourself. Be a leader and fight for others.”

ODA, ODI RALLY AGAINST INSECURITY IN OKUNLAND

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By Tunde Olusunle

A short video clip trended on the social media a few days ago. The narrator who was probably driving his automobile, drew attention to the truck ahead of him. According to his narration, he desired to commute from Egbe, the major southernmost community in Yagba West local government area in the Okun-Yoruba part of Kogi State, to the neighbouring Kwara State. Locals in Egbe, however, had warned him about the crimson activities of faceless criminals in the names of Fulani herdsmen and rampaging marauders on the highway. He thus sought help from a pin-down truck manned by uniformed and armed security personnel, to lead him to safety within the territory of Kwara State, ostensibly for a fee. The truck could be seen in the video, piloting his car. This 50-second video clip summarises the security situation in Okunland today.

Hitherto, Okunland across its several hamlets, communities and towns, was an idyllic island of serenity, calm and civility. Farmers, hunters, teachers, civil servants in the employ of the state and local government authorities, as well as retirees, peopled the villages and homesteads. After a hard day’s work, home folks congregated beneath wide-spread leafy canopies of abutting trees. They played ayo olopon, known by the name “mancala,” and draught, awon oro-oro games, as they wound down from the day’s preoccupations. Liquid soothers included emu fun fun and oguro, both variants of palmwine. But for the mischief of headstrong goats, people harboured no fears about possible trespassing of their abodes. While conducting his doctoral thesis at the University of Ilorin which birthed the facekuerade performance theory, my friend and brother, Sunnie Ododo, relocated from his cosy home in Ilorin, to Kabba, and stayed for weeks. Such was the allure of Okunland.

Sadly, at no point in the history of the Okun-Yoruba people of Kogi State has the question of security been as worrying as it has been in recent weeks and months. Call it “one day, one disaster” and you will not be wrong. From the hitherto innocuous Oyo Iwa community in the northernmost extremes of Okunland, in Lokoja local government area, to Egbe in Yagba West, the southernmost community in the zone, Okunland has been encircled and buffeted by faceless marauders. There are unsavoury narratives from across the six Okun local government areas, namely: Lokoja, Kabba-Bunu; Ijumu; Mopamuro; Yagba East and Yagba West. Forests and woodlands in the area which share similar vegetation with Yorubaland in the South West, have been infiltrated by Fulani herdsmen, deadly bandits and cold-blooded kidnappers. These days, they have become as emboldened as to venture into communities fully armed with weapons, roam around and take with them their preferred victims, including the vulnerable and elderly.

Okunland has been flung into perpetual fear and gripping despair. The local economy of the people predominantly powered by subsistence agriculture, petty trading, returns on artisanal preoccupations, and so on, has been paralysed. Armed gangs stipulate impossible ransoms on families and communities, which in turn are forced to dispose of prized assets, notably livestock, parcels of land and residential homes, to meet up with ransom deadlines. Callously, certain cells of outlaws receive sweatily-sourced ransoms some enabled by crowd-funding, and still proceed to annihilate their victims. They unwittingly plunge families and communities into double agony.

Disturbed by these developments, Okun people on different platforms are galvanising panaceas to address this scourge. The Okun Development Association, (ODA) which is the umbrella body of all Okun bodies and groups had a one-day Security Summit in Kabba, Friday March 28, 2025. President of the ODA, Ambassador Rotimi Akenson, convened the summit which was robustly attended by respected technocrats, royals and government appointees at the state and local levels, from across all six Okun-speaking LGAs. These included serving Commissioners; the State Security Adviser and prominent traditional rulers. Proceedings were moderated by no less a professional than former Director-General of the National Institute for Security Studies, Abuja, (NISS), William Toyin Akanle, PhD, mni.

The summit resolved among others, that: A well-funded community policing structure is a panacea for addressing security challenges in Okunland; and that the establishment of community-based Security Trust Fund, (STF) in Okunland is inevitable. It noted that sharing credible information with security operatives is key, since security is everyone’s business. The Summit also suggested that proper profiling of settlers in our communities is important, just as it posited the adoption of technology-driven security models. The congregation recommended that job creation, economic empowerment, and social interventions are essential in reducing the proclivity of our youths towards crime, while asserting the need for incentives, motivation and morale-boosting for Okun vigilantes and hunters. A high-powered implementation committee to facilitate the actualization of these proposals has been emplaced. Akanle is the Chairman, while Femi Oloruntoba, who retired as a Director from the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, (NDLEA) is the Secretary. Ambassador Sola Enikanolaiye, in the Presidency; Attorney Tunde Irukera, immediate past Executive Chairman of the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, (FCCPC) and the multitasking Okun businessman, Yinka Braimoh are on board.

Equally agonised by the relentless rampaging of nondescript outlaws across Okunland, is the Okun Development Initiative, (ODI), a strident advocacy group. The organisation has scheduled a pan-Okun Unity Summit, for Friday May 30 and Saturday May 31, 2025. ODI which is altruistically complementing the precedence of ODA, has as National Coordinator, Olusuyi Otitoju, a former Commissioner representating Kogi State in the Federal Public Complaints Commission, (PCC). The theme of the forthcoming summit is: Okun Unity: The Power of One Voice, the Strength of Many Hands. The converge aims to bring together Okun sons and daughters, who have been torn apart by the acidity which has tinctured Okun politics in recent times. This fact is captured by the overarching focus of the forthcoming event, which aims to engage with Okun brothers and sisters to band together as one, since disparate broomsticks, cannot be deployed for sweeping.

Instructively, the forthcoming ODI Summit will be the second time the group is rallying Okun people together to deliberate on issues germane to the wellbeing of the people and the area. Between November 24 and November 26, 2016, ODI staged its premiere Okun-centred public event with the theme: Breaking the Bonds of Underdevelopment in Okunland. It focused on the security, unity and development of Okunland and was richly graced by the cream of Okun elite in business, bureaucracy, academia, media, politics, industry, not forgetting elder statesmen from the area. As far back as its 2016, ODI had drawn attention to the imperative for the security of lives and property in the sub-zone, which has transmogrified into a veritable hydra. Despite the near 10-year lacuna between its premiere and the proposed coming together, it is noteworthy that the ODI recognises the importance of constant engagement in the march towards the fruition of the dreams and aspirations of the Okun nation.

The second edition of the ODI Summit which will be chaired by General Funso Owonibi, (rtd), will have Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, as Special Guest of Honour. Serving federal parliamentarians from Okunland, notably Sunday Karimi, Senator Representing Kogi West; Leke Abejide, Member Representing Yagba federal constituency, and his counterpart, Idris Salman, Representing Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu, are expected at the programme. Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Lokoja, (FUL), Professor Yemi Akinwumi will be the Guest Speaker, while the Obaro of Kabba who chairs the Okun Traditional Council, Oba Solomon Dele Owoniyi is the Royal Father of the event. To underscore the harmonious relationship between the ODA and the ODI, President of the ODA, Ambassador Rotimi Akenson will be Father of the Day at the ODI Summit. Long-serving Kogi State Commissioner for Finance, Ashiru Idris, FCA, chairs the planning committee.

It is noteworthy that the people of Okunland across associations and groups are propelling action concurrently and simultaneously on the insecurity plague in the area. This clearly attests to the severity of the security situation in that part of Nigeria. Equally worthy of note is the fact that irrespective of political inclination, leaders and representatives of the zone appreciate the imperative for coordinated action to stem the current tide and potential slide into chaos. To this end, they are supporting and featuring prominently in the activities and programmes of various Okun groupings, for the collective good of an erstwhile oasis of therapeutic peace and quiet.

Tunde Olusunle, PhD, Fellow of the Association of Nigerian Authors, (FANA), is an Adjunct Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Abuja

Amotekun Foils Armed Robbery Attempt on Iron Rod Trailer in Osun, Driver, Property Valued at N50 Million Rescued

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In a swift response to criminal activity, the Osun State Security Network Agency, known as the Amotekun Corps, successfully foiled an attempted armed robbery on a trailer transporting iron rods valued at approximately ₦50 million. The incident occurred in the early hours of Monday along the Gbongan/Osogbo Road at Gbongan overhead bridge in Ayedaade Local Government Area.

The trailer, which was carrying forty tons of iron rods from Shagamu to Osogbo, was reportedly trailed by an unidentified Toyota corolla vehicle from Ikire. At around 1:00 a.m., armed men attempted to intercept the truck.

Upon reaching the Gbongan overhead bridge, he was intercepted by four armed men who approached the moving truck, posing as task force officers and demanding a waybill from the driver. The driver, noticing their suspicious behavior, quickly realized that something was amiss.

The driver recounted the words of one of the armed men, saying, ‘Let us do what we want to do quickly before people start coming out.’ He was assaulted while holding the trailer’s steering wheel, as he refused to surrender the vehicle.

During the struggle, his apprentice’s phone was forcibly taken, and several others attempted to wrest control of the wheel from him and collect his phone, the driver managed to push the armed men, causing them and the apprentice to fall into the nearby bush. Seizing the moment, he began shouting to draw the attention of people nearby and then fled into the bush. While hiding, he called his boss, who promptly informed the Corps Commander of the Osun Amotekun Corps, Chief Dr. Hon. Adekunle Isaac Omoyele.

The Commander immediately alerted the Amotekun Command in Ayedaade Local Government, which responded swiftly, foiling the attack, rescuing the driver and his apprentice, and securing the 40 tons of iron rods valued at ₦50 Million.

Expressing his gratitude, Mr. Jimoh commended the Amotekun Corps for their bravery and prompt action, which saved both his life and the valuable cargo from falling into the hands of the assailants.

He earnestly appealed to the State Government to further strengthen and empower the Osun Amotekun Corps, enabling them to carry out their duties with maximum efficiency and effectiveness.

The Amotekun Corps remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, while upholding a zero-tolerance stance on crime throughout the state.

Signed:
Yusuf Idowu Abass
Public Relations Officer
Osun Amotekun Corps

JUST IN : Former military governor slumps, dies while playing tennis

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Former Military governor of Bayelsa State, Caleb Omoniyi Olubolade, has passed away at the age of 70.

Olubolade, who also served as federal minister  in various ministerial roles including Police Affairs and Special Duties, reportedly collapsed on Sunday evening while playing lawn tennis in Apapa, Lagos.

According to a family statement signed by his daughter, Mrs. Oluwayemisi Akinadewo, and son, Mr. Dayo Olubolade, the late Olubolade had driven himself to a nearby facility to play tennis when he slumped during the game.

“Efforts were made by medical personnel present to resuscitate him, but they were unsuccessful,” the statement read. He was subsequently taken to the Obisesan Naval Medical Centre in Apapa, where he was confirmed dead.

Captain Olubolade, a native of Ipoti-Ekiti in Ekiti State, marked his 70th birthday on November 30, 2024.
Funeral arrangements will be announced by the family in due course.

Sex-for-grade: Varsities, polytechnics crack down on over 50 lecturers

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No fewer than 50 lecturers across Nigerian public tertiary institutions have been indicted for sexual misconduct between April 2021 and April 2025, The PUNCH has found.

While some of the indicted academics, including professors, have been dismissed, others are currently facing disciplinary panels.

The cases span universities and polytechnics nationwide, highlighting the widespread nature of sexual harassment in Nigeria’s higher education system.

A 2018 survey by the World Bank Group’s Women, Business, and the Law project found that 70 percent of female graduates in Nigeria had experienced sexual harassment in school, most commonly from classmates and lecturers.

Despite the Senate passing a bill in 2021 prescribing a 21-year jail term for lecturers guilty of sexual exploitation, the legislation has yet to be signed into law.

Most recently, on April 24, 2025, the Governing Council of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, dismissed a senior lecturer, Dr. Usman Aliyu, over allegations of sexually harassing a married postgraduate student, Mrs. Kamila Aliyu.

The university acted upon the findings of its Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee, which found the lecturer guilty of misconduct.

Mrs. Aliyu had petitioned the school in 2024, accusing Dr. Aliyu of coercion and threatening her academic progress.

Just 10 days earlier, on April 14, 2025, the Lagos State University of Science and Technology dismissed three lecturers, identified as Mr. Nurudeen Hassan (Mass Communication), Mr. Kareem Arigbabu, and Mr. Olayinka Uthman (both from the Department of Arts & Design), over sexual harassment.

According to a memo titled “Dismissal of Staff Members Due to Sexual Harassment Allegations,” the decision followed deliberations by the institution’s Governing Council under Section 5.5.2(v) of the University Senior Staff Conditions of Service.

Similarly, on November 14, 2024, the Federal University, Lokoja, announced the dismissal of four unnamed lecturers for sexual misconduct.

 Earlier, on August 2, 2024, Abia State University, Uturu, suspended Dr. Udochukwu Ndukwe from the Department of Mass Communication for three months following allegations of harassing a female student.

In May 2024, FULokoja again suspended a lecturer over similar allegations. That same April, Enugu State Police arrested a suspended lecturer at the University of Nigeria, Mr. Mfonobong Udoudom, after a video emerged showing him allegedly harassing a female student in his office. The university had earlier announced his indefinite suspension.

    Earlier incidents include the 2021 dismissal of three lecturers from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife—one each from the Departments of English, International Relations, and Accounting—for sexual harassment.

    In June 2021, the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, suspended a lecturer in the Department of Media and Theatre Arts for misconduct, while the University of Lagos dismissed two lecturers the same month for similar offences.

    In August 2021, the University of Port Harcourt dismissed a lecturer from the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature. The Federal Polytechnic, Bauchi, in October that year, also dismissed two lecturers from the Departments of Nutrition/Dietetics and General Studies.

    The Ignatius Ajuru University of Education dismissed a lecturer in 2021 for impregnating a female student, and in December, the Kwara State University, Malete, let go of a lecturer for harassing a student in the Department of Pure and Applied Sciences. Rivers State’s Elechi Amadi Polytechnic took similar action in January 2022.

    Obafemi Awolowo University again came under scrutiny in April 2022, launching a probe into sexual harassment allegations against a professor in the Department of Linguistics and African Studies—bringing the total number of professors affected at the institution to two.

    In June 2022, the then Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof. Abdul-Raheed Na’allah, confirmed the dismissal of two professors for sexual misconduct.

    In 2023, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) arraigned Dr. Balogun Olaniran of Tai Solarin University of Education, who allegedly demanded sexual favors in exchange for altering a student’s results.

    In March 2023, Kogi State Polytechnic dismissed Abutu Thompson, a Computer Science lecturer, for harassing and victimizing a female student. In May, Ambrose Alli University, Edo State, also dismissed a lecturer following a disciplinary committee’s recommendation. The lecturer, despite admitting to making advances, went as far as visiting the student’s church to plead for forgiveness, according to Vice-Chancellor Prof. Asomwan Adagbonyin.

    In July 2023, UNIABUJA again announced the dismissal of two lecturers over sexual misconduct. The following month, the University of Calabar suspended its Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. Cyril Ndifon, after multiple allegations of harassment surfaced.

    On September 7, 2023, the University of Lagos suspended lecturer Kadri Babalola, who was accused of raping a 21-year-old student.

    Amid ongoing reports, a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication at Kogi State Polytechnic, Mr. Onoja Baba, has advocated for a “Digital Anonymous Feedback System” to enable safer reporting of such incidents.

    “The existing mechanisms are often bureaucratic, and students fear repercussions, especially when it involves faculty,” he said. “Without trusted and effective channels, victims feel isolated. It’s time to rethink how we address reporting and accountability in our institutions.” PUNCH

    NDLEA arrests Iran-bound woman with cocaine in private part, stomach

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    Nabs 22-year-old British ex-convict with large drug shipment at MMIA; intercepts fuel tanker, 3 vehicles with 3, 047kg skunk in Niger, 775 litres of codeine in Kano

    By Ebinum Samuel

    Desperate attempt by a woman, Ihensekhien Miracle Obehi who disguised with hijab to export large consignments of cocaine concealed in her private part, stomach and false bottom of her handbag to Iran has been thwarted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Port Harcourt, Rivers state.Obehi who was dressed in hijab to beat security checks was intercepted at the departure hall of the Port Harcourt airport on Sunday 3rd May 2025 while trying to board a Qatar Airline flight to Iran via Doha following credible intelligence.

    During her search, she was found to have inserted three wraps of cocaine in her private part, and two large parcels hidden in false compartments of her handbag while she swallowed 67 pellets of the Class A drug.As a result, she was placed under excretion observation and after four excretions that lasted days, she expelled the 67 wraps of the substance in her stomach. She claimed she was to swallow 70 pellets of cocaine but after ingesting 67 pieces she could no longer swallow the remaining three and decided to insert them into her private part. The total weight of the three consignments hidden in different parts of her body comes to 2.523 kilograms.In like manner, NDLEA operatives at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Ikeja Lagos on Friday 9th May intercepted a 22-year-old British national, Campell Kaizra Kofi Johannes Slifer coming from Thailand through Doha on Qatar Airways flight with two suitcases loaded with 35 parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 37.60kg.Campell who claimed he had twice been convicted in the UK for drug trafficking and robbery, said he was recruited in London to travel to Thailand to pick the illicit consignment and bring same to Nigeria.

    In Niger state, NDLEA officers acting on intelligence on Wednesday 7th May intercepted a fuel truck marked ABJ 693 XU and three other vehicles loaded with 246 bags of skunk, a strain of cannabis with a combined weight of 3, 047 kilograms along Suleja-Kaduna road. Four suspects arrested with the exhibits include: Christopher Onyema, 47; Benedict Etineruba Young, 54; Chukwudi Ujue Jerry, 30; and Mohammed Abdullahi Danasabe. Apart from the fuel truck, three other vehicles recovered from the suspects include: Honda Odyssey bus marked YAB 667 CZ; Gulf bus with registration number GWA 125 TQ andHonda Odyssey bus marked ABJ 230 CN.At Oja Amukoko in Ijora area of Lagos, two suspects: Eze Chekube Emmanuel and Ike Samuel Chinyerem were on Thursday 8th May arrested by NDLEA operatives with a total of 109,914 pills of tramadol, swinol and nitrozepam seized from them.While 52.5kg skunk was recovered from two suspects: Lukman Sabo Umar, 23, and Tukur Ammadu, 20, in a bus at Gwantu, Sanga LGA, Kaduna State on Tuesday 6th May, NDLEA operatives on patrol along Bode Saadu- Jebba expressway, Kwara State on Monday 5th Mayarrested Rufai Nasiru with 45,400 pills of tramadol 225mg.

    In Bauchi state, NDLEA officers on patrol along Bauchi-Gombe road on Tuesday 6th May intercepted a Toyota Tundra jeep marked RBC 111 DW conveying 526 blocks of skunk weighing 505kg with two suspects: Isaac Onogure, 37 and Ikechukwu Peter, 44, arrested.A total of 31 kegs containing 775 litres of codeine syrup were recovered from two suspects:Hafizu Isa Uman, 34, and Ismail Shehu, 48, when NDLEA operatives raided their hideout at Rijiyar Zaki area of Kano on Saturday 10th May, while 1.1kg of Loud consignment concealed in pillow coming from Thailand was on Tuesday 6th May intercepted by NDLEA officers at a courier company in Lagos.The War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, social advocacy activities by NDLEA Commands equally continued across the country in the past week. Some of them include: WADA sensitization lecture delivered to students and staff of Federal Government College, Sokoto; Deeper Life International College, Nteje, Anambra; Martins Sanda Girls Science College, Paikoro, Niger state; Restoration Power International School, Idua Eket, Akwa Ibom; while Oyo state command delivered WADA enlightenment lecture to members of the League of Imams and Alfas at Iseyin Central Mosque, Iseyin, among others.While commending the officers and men of DOGI, MMIA, PHIA, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Bauchi, Kwara, and Niger Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) equally praised their counterparts in all the commands across the country for pursuing a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.

    Shocking Revelation: Ndume Has Never Passed A Bill – Bwala Declares Natasha Superior

    Posted on by admin50

    Bwala Mocks Ndume, Says Natasha Outshines Him Despite Short Senate Term..

    Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Policy Communication, has taken a swipe at Borno South Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, comparing his 22-year legislative track record unfavorably to that of Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Bwala claimed that Natasha’s achievements in less than two years in the Senate have already surpassed Ndume’s accomplishments over two decades in the National Assembly.

    Bwala accused Ndume of never successfully sponsoring a bill, refuting the Senator’s long-standing claim of having sponsored the bill that established the North-East Development Commission (NEDC). He insisted that the credit for the NEDC bill actually belongs to former Senator Murtala Nyako.Highlighting Ndume’s role as a former Majority Leader and chairman of key defence-related committees, Bwala criticized his inaction on the plight of displaced constituents from Southern Borno.“This is a man who has spent 22 years in the legislature—four in the House of Representatives and about 16 in the Senate—yet over 120,000 of his people remain internally displaced in Cameroon,” Bwala said. “Despite huge allocations for constituency projects in Southern Borno, there’s nothing tangible to show for it.”

    He further claimed that 90% of Ndume’s bills never made it past the second reading and were routinely dismissed without debate.When the interview host, Seun Okinbaloye, pointed out evidence of Ndume visiting his constituency and interacting with constituents, Bwala replied dismissively: “Is visiting people now considered a project? Funds were allocated for real development. Even the boreholes he claims to have drilled are dry.”Bwala also questioned Ndume’s political credibility, suggesting that his repeated electoral victories are due more to state influence than grassroots support. He noted that Ndume had never won a primary election and was once even stoned in his hometown during the 2023 elections.“He doesn’t use his platform to advocate for the return of his displaced constituents in Cameroon,” Bwala added. “Instead of hiding behind the governor during visits, he should be urging the president to intervene.”