News
Community Calls on Sanwoolu to Probe Demolition of Saint Margaret Group of Schools
Community Calls on Sanwoolu to Probe Demolition of Saint Margaret Group of Schools
By: Michael Mike
The people of the community where Saint Margaret Group of Schools is located in Ikorodu, Lagos have carried out a protest, calling of Lagos State Governor, Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to halt the actions of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), and some armed security personnel and unauthorised individuals, commonly known as touts from demolition of the school facilities.
The School was established 42 years ago, in 1982, at number 26, NBC Road, Ebute, Ikorodu.
The protesters who were armed with placards with different inscriptions during the protest, made a clarion call to the Sanwo-Olu, requesting his intervention to halt the actions of the Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA), who arrived with fully armed security personnel and unauthorised individuals, commonly known as touts, to prevent any further illegal demolitions of their school facilities.
The Proprietor of the School, Pastor Olusegun Alonge backed by the teachers, parents, staff and the community during the protest cry out to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu as Chief Lagos landlord to intervene on the attacks the Lagos building control agency under Arc. Gbolahan Owodunni Oki leadership to stop Illegal demolition of Saint Margaret group of schools.
He decried the actions of the agency on the school established over four decades ago on the property, insisting that the group of schools was severely damaged due to the invasion of said agency without any reasonable prior notice about government demand for payment or policy compliances.
When asked if the school did not possessed complete building documentation that could have prompted the agency’s visit, he proprietor replied affirmatively, stating they have a collection of documents for all their building facilities.
Alonge further explained that one of the actions taken after the incident was visiting the office of the LASBCA’s General Manager, Arc. Gbolahan Owodunni Oki, but he was denied an audience during the initial visit.
He said during his subsequent revisit some days later, he was escorted out by the same General Manager with threats.
He said: “The General Manager warned that he would instruct the building control agency to downgrade the school if precautions were not taken. He boasted that he has the support of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu in his activities.
The Proprietor, who apparently have not fully recovered from the trauma of the demolition, made a clarion appeal to Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu to intervene and reopen the school.
He said he still believes in the Capacity of Sanwoolu government to protect lives and property of the people.
During the incident, some staff members of the school on duty, alleged that the action of those deplored to demolish the school were similar to those used by kidnappers or bandits.
They claimed that the agency’s task force entered the school premises without identifying themselves with the gate security personnel. When questioned about their identity, some task force members began taking photos and videos of the school facilities without revealing who they were.
Efforts made by teachers and security personnel to prevent this unauthorised action were met with resistance.
They further alleged that the task force on site then called for additional security personnel and unauthorised individuals, who arrived in large numbers and began demolishing buildings and damaging several classroom facilities.
They said as this was happening, students who were taking exams in their respective classrooms were forcefully evacuated, with threats of violence towards anyone who did not comply with the orders.
They alleged that: “Teachers and young children were chased onto the main road outside the school premises.
“In the process of this commotion, the pupils and kindergarten children were in panic mode, wailing seriously at the incidence of gun-wielding personnel and fierce-looking touts accompanying them out of their school. Some of them were pointed guns at to leave the school.”
Amidst the protest, Mr Lawani Dominion Abiola, Coordinator of the group of schools, appealed to the governor to use his good office to rescue the school from the attack of the Building Agency, stating that no notice of whatever intention was served the school for any purpose before the attack committed on March 27th, 2024 around 2 pm while students were still writing examinations papers, nothing less than five staff of the school were arrested and whisked down to Badagry police station on the day of the attack on the school.
Some of the parents who incidentally witnessed the commotion on that day, Mr Obamude Omoniyi and Mrs Enny Jones, condemned the agency’s Gestapo approach, suggesting a more civilised method of operation as an elite agency of Lagos State. Omoniyi narrated his continued ordeals in convincing his son, who has vowed vehemently never to return to the school or any other school again due to the traumatic encounters of the armed men at their school. In his words, he quoted the son verbatim: ‘Daddy, I have been watching that kind of gun in the cartoon but never known anyone can bring such to our school to threaten us’, so I will not attend any school anymore since school is not safe again.
On March 27th, 2024, the neighbourhood experienced an unprecedented event, according to some community residents and local businesswomen who were present during the school protest. They also described the incident as operations carried out by bandits, as reported in radio broadcasts and newspapers. Making a heartfelt appeal, they urged Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, known for his responsible and responsive leadership, to intervene and address the excessive and unethical conduct of the building agency in Lagos State. These emotionally affected mothers expressed their concerns about tarnishing the governor’s reputation and the positive work he is known for.
Community Calls on Sanwoolu to Probe Demolition of Saint Margaret Group of Schools
Insurgency: Northeast Governors Call for Reappraisal of Strategies
By: Michael Mike
Governors of the six Northeast states of Borno, Adamawa, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba have called for a reappraisal of strategies in the ongoing war against insurgency in the region.
Rising from the 11th Meeting of the North-East Governors’ Forum (NEGF) held in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital on Thursday, the governors, in a communique, noted with dismay the rising activities of the insurgents in the subregion and called for the armed forces, other security agencies and community leaders to reappraise their strategy in the counter insurgency onslaught in the region.
The Forum while commending the Federal Government in its effort at improving the security of the country and resolve to collaborate and support in all matters to address emerging security issues in the country. however noted that addressing the security challenge in the Northeast requires a multidimensional approach of not only the kinetic strategy but also addressing the root causes such as youth employment through vocational and technical education, improved road networks, improving education and reducing poverty.
The Forum promised its commitment to addressing the issues of security by tackling the current situation while addressing some of the root causes.
The Forum also noted that the poor road network in the subregion is contributing to the insecurity in the region, and called on Mr. President to as a matter of urgent concern address the issue of abandoned project which is critical to addressing poverty, insecurity and general underdevelopment of the subregion.
The Forum also recommitted itself to the opening up of the subregion to investment opportunities, agriculture for food security, combating climate change, skills acquisition and the industrialization of the subregion to provide employment to the teeming youths who are vulnerable to recruitment into the army of the insurgents.
It also noted the role of the Northeast Development Commission (NEDC) in the development of the subregion and
called on the Commission to be more engaging with the various state governments on development needs and prioritize transportation infrastructure, education, and health, while equally calling on the Commission to rededicate itself to its core mandate which is to rebuild the subregion after the devastation of the insurgency and be more proactive in the delivery of existing project in the subregion by keeping track with project delivery timelines.
The Forum noted the significance of the Nigerian Law school Yola Campus within the region and resolved to support its
expansion by providing additional hostel accommodation, water supply and other facilities to improve the admission capacity of the campus and make it more conducive for training, and resolved to work closely with the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education (NCAOOSCE) by providing office space in each state, support the enrolment of Almajiri and out-of-school children into formal school, provision of vocational and technical education as well as develop a unified approach to addressing the menace in the subregion.
The next date for the meeting was fixed for 27th – 29th, July, 2025 in Jalingo, Taraba state, and at the meeting were Governors of Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe States, with the Governor of Bauchi state represented by the Deputy Governor
Insurgency: Northeast Governors Call for Reappraisal of Strategies
Kadafur paid Condolence visit to families and victims Rann and Chibok attacks
…… Call for community engagement and collaboration with security agencies
By: Our Reporter
In Rann, the Borno State Deputy Governor His Excellency Dr Umar Kadafur led a government delegation on a condolence visit to Rann, the headquarters of Kala Balge Local Government Area.
It could be recalled that a few days ago at the Furunduma area in Kala balge, an IED explosion claimed lives of over twenty people and some injured during the attack that claimed several lives and suspected to be a Boko Haram insurgents.
During the visit, the Deputy Governor and other members of the delegation prayed for the departed souls and wished them eternal rest . They also prayed for the families and the entire community to bear the irreparable loss.
Dr Kadafur condemned in the strongest terms the heinous act of the insurgents, calling for intense prayers to avert future occurrences and emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts with security operatives to sustain peace that was regained in the region.
The delegation visited Rann General Hospital to sympathize with those injured in the attack, praying for their quick recovery. The Deputy Governor announced that all medical bills for the injured would be covered.
The Deputy Governor made cash donations of N300,000 to families of the 27 affected victims and also a cash support as a morale booster to military personnel, Police force, Local vigilante, Kesh Kesh and Civilian JTF , including youths group at Rann.
The Chairman of Kala Balge Local Government Area, Hon. Zanna Ajid Musa Ajid expressed gratitude to His Excellency the Executive Governor of Borno State, Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum , Deputy Governor, and the delegation for their timely support and condolences.
…….. In Chibok LGA
The delegation led by His Excellency, Dr Umar Usman Kadafur also proceeded to Chibok town on a similar condolence visit to the families of affected attack by Boko Haram insurgents, whereby fourteen people were killed, church and houses were burnt down with properties worth millions of Naira.
The deputy governor said, “We were here to sympathise with you and the families of recent attacks, lives and properties were lost whereby we can only condone you and pray for the deceased. We are here to support the families and victims but we cannot replace what has been lost, life is irreparable “.
Dr Kadafur condemned the attack and supported the families with similar cash support of 300,000 to victims families, assured that the government will support them in rebuilding their destroyed church and houses.
Members of the delegation which includes
Member Borno State House of Assembly representing kala Balge LGA Hon.Dige Mohammed , Commissioner for Religious Affairs and Former Chairman kala Balge LGA Zanna Jabu. Member House of Assembly representing chibok LGA, Former Chairman chibok and Hon.Hauwa Mai Musa .
Kadafur paid Condolence visit to families and victims Rann and Chibok attacks
One killed, another injured in Kum village ambush in Riyom
By: Zagazola Makama
A man was killed and another critically injured on Tuesday night following an ambush by unknown gunmen in Kum village, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The victims, identified as Joshua Ezekiel, 48, and Dung Jatau, 51, were reportedly riding on a motorcycle along the Riyom to Kum road at about 8:15 p.m. when they were attacked by armed men who opened fire on them.
Residents said the injured were rushed to the General Hospital in Riyom, where Ezekiel was pronounced dead on arrival. Jatau is currently receiving medical treatment and is said to be in stable condition.
Tension remains high in the area as locals express concern over the safety of rural commuters, especially during evening hours.
Community leaders in Riyom have called for calm and urged residents to remain vigilant. Meanwhile, efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the attackers.
Police said they have lunched investigation into the incident.
One killed, another injured in Kum village ambush in Riyom
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