NSCDC Uncovers Badagry Kidnap Syndicate, Rescues 24 Missing Victims

By: Manoah Kikekon 

BADAGRY, LAGOS — The Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has completely dismantled a notorious criminal network operating within the Itoga community of Badagry.

The successful anti-crime raid resulted in the tracking and arrest of a suspected ringleader along with three foreign accomplices, alongside the dramatic rescue of 24 unlawfully confined victims some of whom had been declared missing by their families for up to three years.

The breakthrough was officially confirmed in a press release issued on Friday, June 5, 2026, by the Civil Defence Public Relations Officer for the Lagos State Command, SC Oluwaseun Abolurin.

Victims 

The highly coordinated tactical operation was championed by the Divisional Officer of the Badagry Divisional Headquarters, Chief Superintendent of Corps (CSC) Ekunola Gbenga Abraham. Acting on actionable, community-based intelligence and close collaboration with local security stakeholders in the Badagry West Axis, tactical teams swarmed the criminal hideouts on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at approximately 2:00 PM.

The strategic raid aligns directly with the standing orders issued by the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, PhD, mni, OFR, who has continuously directed all state formations to scale up intelligence networks, reinforce inter-agency synergy, and systematically neutralize emerging security threats nationwide.

Victims 

During standard interrogation and preliminary profiling, investigators uncovered the sinister mechanisms used by the syndicate to exploit their captives. The suspects allegedly forced the victims to contact their immediate families under intense duress, using fabricated scripts of kidnappings, catastrophic road accidents, and life-threatening emergencies to extort large sums of money from desperate relatives.

Beyond financial extortion, the criminal ring allegedly integrated some of the captive victims into fraudulent online operations, illicit narcotics distribution networks, and forced recruitment drives designed to lure more unsuspecting individuals into the trap.

Names of the Victims 

The psychological toll on the victims' families was immense. Many relatives had spent years searching through conventional channels to no avail, with several revealing that they eventually resorted to traditional and spiritual consultations out of absolute desperation before the NSCDC intervention successfully broke the chain.

Reacting to the successful sting operation, the Lagos State Commandant, Mr. Adedotun Keshinro, fnarc, highly commended the exceptional vigilance, bravery, and operational precision demonstrated by CSC Ekunola Gbenga Abraham and the Badagry Division staff.

Names of the Victims 

"The tremendous success of this operation further validates the critical role that intelligence-led policing and robust grassroots community collaboration play in stamping out deep-seated crime."

Commandant Keshinro issued an urgent appeal to members of the public, calling on citizens to consistently supply security formations with credible information to help identify additional hideouts or reunite rescued individuals with their families. He concluded by ordering a comprehensive, multi-dimensional investigation into the cartel's wider network, asserting that all suspects will face the full weight of the law in a court of competent jurisdiction as soon as investigations wrap up.

This high-profile raid marks yet another milestone for the Badagry Divisional Headquarters under CSC Abraham's leadership. The division has steadily converted the coastal corridor into a hostile environment for criminal enterprises through several milestone accomplishments:

Executed multiple intelligence-driven ambushes against economic saboteurs smuggling Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) across the volatile Badagry-Seme border corridor, yielding major seizures.

Recently uncovered an illegal "baby factory" and unlawful confinement facility within its area of responsibility, rescuing dozens of women and infants.

Sustained active security dialogues and intelligence sharing pipelines with traditional rulers, religious groups, transport unions, market associations, hunters, and local youth organizations.

Badagry Chairman Hunpe Restricts Okada Operations, Bans Late-Night Parties

By: Manoah Kikekon 

Babatunde Hunpe 

BADAGRY, LAGOS— In a decisive bid to protect public safety and neutralize potential criminal activities, the Badagry Local Government administration has rolled out a sweeping security framework. The new directive imposes strict operational curfews on commercial transport operators, event venues, and local night scenes across the coastal community.

The Executive Chairman of Badagry Local Government, Hon. Babatunde Hunpe, approved the emergency regulations as part of a proactive strategy to secure lives, properties, and commercial interests within the borders of the historic local government area.

A central pillar of the newly enacted security protocols is the immediate temporal restriction placed on commercial motorcycle riders, popularly referred to as okada operators. Moving forward, digital and local transport profiling will be reinforced as commercial riding will only be permitted between the hours of 5:00 AM and 10:00 PM daily.

To complement the nighttime restrictions, all operators must now wear easily identifiable jackets while on duty. This mandatory apparel tracking is designed to help community policing networks and federal security agencies easily distinguish authentic commercial riders from criminal syndicates who often use unregulated motorcycles as escape vehicles or disguises.

Furthermore, the local government has placed tight operational limits on bowlers and related operators, restricting their daily activities strictly to a 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM window.

In a move set to disrupt the regional entertainment sector, the council has also declared a total ban on night parties beyond 7:00 PM. Security sources within the secretariat noted that late-night social gatherings frequently provide a tactical smokescreen for illegal assemblies and unwanted criminal elements, directly compromising municipal safety.

Although the Badagry division historically ranks as one of the most stable and peaceful coastal corridors in Lagos State, administrative leaders emphasized that waiting for a crisis to strike before adjusting local enforcement policies is an unnecessary risk.

An internal source close to the local council layout explained the reasoning behind the sudden security updates: "The council is not waiting for security challenges to escalate before taking action. These measures are preventive and are designed to ensure that Badagry remains safe for residents, visitors and businesses."

The local government confirmed that all state security structures, local vigilante configurations, and relevant traffic authorities have been fully briefed and ordered to carry out strict, immediate enforcement of the new regulations. Non-compliant operators or event planners will face immediate sanctions and legal processing.

LASU History Student Dies Following Violent Off-Campus Robbery in Iba

By: Manoah Kikekon 

OJO, LAGOS — The Lagos State University (LASU) community has been plunged into deep mourning following the tragic death of one of its undergraduate students, Otabor Boluwatife Joseph, who passed away from severe injuries suffered during an armed robbery.

The violent incident occurred on the night of Friday, May 29, 2026, in the Iba area of Lagos—a neighborhood just outside the university campus where many students reside. Boluwatife, a promising scholar in the Department of History and International Studies under the Faculty of Arts, was reportedly ambushed by armed criminals alongside a group of his friends.

In an official press release, the university administration expressed profound shock and sadness over the untimely passing of the young scholar. The Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, extended her personal condolences to the immediate family, classmates, and friends of the deceased.

The institutional statement noted how deeply the entire campus feels the loss:

“The university management expresses profound sadness over the student's death, describing it as a painful loss to the LASU community. The administration shares deeply in their grief during this extraordinarily difficult period.”

Immediately after the violent attack was reported to campus authorities, the university deployed its student welfare framework to monitor the situation and provide administrative support.

Following the student's tragic demise on Tuesday, high-level representatives from LASU met directly with family members, administrators at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), and local police divisions to streamline the path toward a comprehensive criminal investigation.

The university management explicitly stated that it is giving its full support to law enforcement networks to ensure the attackers are swiftly brought to book.

“The institution is actively collaborating with security agencies investigating the robbery attack and remains highly confident that those responsible for this heinous crime will be identified and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

The painful incident has sparked renewed conversations among students, parents, and community leaders regarding the safety of undergraduates living in off-campus university villages across Lagos State. With satellite communities growing around major public institutions, stakeholders are urgently calling on the Lagos State Police Command to intensify regular night patrols and deploy more security personnel to safeguard vulnerable student populations.

DC Nura Miko Demands Faster Trade Facilitation, Targets Sub-2-Hour RoRo Clearance

By: Manoah Kikekon 

LAGOS, NIGERIA — In a strategic move to optimize operations at Nigeria’s premier Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) port, the newly appointed Acting Customs Area Controller of the Port & Terminal Multi-services Limited (PTML) Area Command, Deputy Comptroller Nura Miko, has called for deep collaborative reforms with terminal operators and industry stakeholders.

During his inaugural operational visit to the Grimaldi/PTML Terminal in Lagos on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, DC Miko prioritized trade facilitation, enhanced security, and the collective push to surpass existing revenue targets.

The PTML Command currently sets the benchmark for Nigerian port efficiency with its unprecedented two-hour cargo clearance window for compliant RoRo imports. However, DC Miko challenged operators to leverage technological innovations and streamlined workflows to reduce this window even further.

“PTML Command holds the record as the Command with a two-hour cargo clearance time for compliant RoRo imports. As a Service, we can do even better and further shorten that time without compromising our integrity. This will also translate into more efficient management of your terminal space,” Miko stated.

A concise breakdown of the administration's primary operational objectives highlighted during the meeting demonstrates this forward-looking strategy: Further reduce the current 2-hour clearance record for compliant importers. 

 Accelerate cargo exit to maximize physical yard capacity for incoming vessels. Maintain an inclusive, open-door policy centered on stakeholder feedback. Deepen collaboration with sister security agencies and freight forwarding associations.

Emphasizing that his administration will favor collaboration over rigidity, the Acting Customs Area Controller assured the maritime community of a participatory approach to resolving operational bottlenecks.

“I am here to listen. Your insights, expertise, and perspectives are vital to our success. I look forward to engaging with you to align our efforts for mutual growth. Whatever we have achieved together in the past can, and will be, surpassed,” DC Miko added.

Responding to the Customs boss, the General Manager of PTML, Tunde Keshinro, pledged the terminal's unwavering support to help the Nigeria Customs Service achieve its mandate. He acknowledged the long-standing positive relationship between the terminal's operators and the command.

“You have been a positive influence on the business fortunes of Grimaldi as a group. In whatever way, you have been supportive of everything we have done, and on that note, I am quite positive that whatever the challenge, if we have a good understanding, we can cross the grey areas,” Keshinro remarked.

To ensure absolute operational alignment across the port ecosystem, DC Miko extended his engagement to key heads of sister security agencies. He also held talks with critical logistics trade bodies, including:

The African Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON)

The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA)

By engaging both terminal executives and grassroots freight forwarders, the PTML Command signals its readiness to sustain recent trade facilitation gains, tighten border integrity, and drive robust revenue performance for the Federal Government through the remainder of 2026.

Amuwo Odofin 2027: Seyi Ipinlaye Debunks Fake NDC Primary Claims, Reaffirms Olawande’s Mandate

 By: Manoah Kikekon

 

Hon. Olawande Adegeye, NDC and Hon. Seyi Ipinlaye 

LAGOS, NIGERIA — A major controversy has rocked the Amuwo Odofin Federal Constituency chapter of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) following conflicting claims over its legislative ticket for the 2027 general elections.

In a decisive move to quell mounting political anxiety, prominent party stakeholder Hon. Seyi Ipinlaye has officially debunked a circulating publication that claimed an aspirant named Azubuike had clinched the party's House of Representatives ticket. In a formal statement released on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, and made available to News Peddler, Ipinlaye categorically clarified that Hon. Olawande Adegeye remains the only legitimate and legally recognized candidate for the constituency.

Addressing constituents under the banner of a "Public Assurance to the Good People of Amuwo Odofin," Ipinlaye urged party faithful and voters to completely disregard any parallel lists or victory declarations. He emphasized that modern digital tracking systems and recent legislative reforms have permanently eliminated arbitrary candidate swaps by party administrators.

Ipinlaye pointed directly to structural updates within Nigeria's electoral framework to invalidate the opposing claims:

“Party supremacy is no longer valid in candidate selection. Section 33 of the Electoral Act 2022/2026 prohibits any party from changing or substituting a candidate whose name has been submitted after a valid primary, except in cases of death or voluntary withdrawal by the candidate himself.”

To provide full clarity, the statement broke down the explicit operational benchmarks that solidify Olawande’s position as the authentic flagbearer.

According to the official brief, the internal party process has already been finalized and logged on the regulatory side, leaving no room for administrative manipulation.

The statement further warned that internal party squabbles or unilateral press releases cannot substitute or overwrite a democratic process that was explicitly overseen by federal regulators.

“The primary conducted and monitored by INEC at 206 Park, where the mandate was given to Hon. Olawande, and the result duly uploaded on INEC’s portal, remains the lawful and only recognized outcome,” Ipinlaye asserted. “No publication, press release, or internal party decision can override the will of the people expressed at that primary and documented by INEC.”

Ipinlaye concluded his public address by reassuring residents that the legal defense team is fully prepared to protect the integrity of the vote against any backdoor adjustments:

“I therefore assure the good people of Amuwo Odofin: Your mandate given to Hon. Olawande is safe, secured, and protected by law. The Electoral Act has ended the era of impunity and substitution. We remain committed to defending this mandate through all legal and democratic means.”

When a reporter from News Peddlers reached out to Azubuike via phone to get his perspective on the legal objections raised against his purported victory, he declined to give an immediate explanation, offering only a brief response: "I'm in a meeting now, I will get back to you on this matter."

Mind Builders School Honors Founder Mrs. Bolajoko Falore at 70th Birthday with Maiden Lagos Symposium

By: Manoah Kikekon 

Mrs Bolajoko Falore 

 

LAGOS, NIGERIA — What began in 1998 as a modest localized learning center with just 18 pioneer pupils and six instructors operating out of a single duplex wing in Omole Phase 1 has evolved into one of Nigeria's premier private educational institutions. Today, Mind Builders School stands as a towering beacon of academic innovation, transformative community building, and holistic child development under the enduring vision of its founder, Mrs. Bolajoko Falore.

To celebrate her landmark 70th birthday and her historic 50-year Golden Jubilee of dedicated service to the teaching profession, the Trustees of the Mind Builders Education Trust have announced the school’s maiden Annual Symposium.

Scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at the ultra-modern Mind Builders School Hall within the Ikeja CBD in Alausa, Lagos, the commemorative symposium will gather distinguished administrators, policy influencers, business leaders, and academic authorities.

The event will feature high-level discourse focusing on institutional permanence, forward-thinking pedagogy, and sustainable educational management.

Keynote Speaker: Mr. Oliver Alawuba, the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc.

Guest Speaker: Professor Idowu Olayinka, the esteemed former Vice-Chancellor of Nigeria's premier University of Ibadan.

For regional observers, the growth trajectory of the school serves as definitive proof of purposeful planning. Guided entirely by Mrs. Falore’s core foundational philosophy, the institution focuses explicitly on a forward-looking roadmap for its learners:

“Building Your Child for Tomorrow’s Challenges”

This foundational commitment has enabled the school to branch out from its original location into a multi-campus network, featuring an advanced annex campus at Omole Phase 2 alongside premier early-childhood development installations.

Mind Builders School was Launched in Year 1998 with 18 Pupils, 6 Teachers in a Single wing of a residential duplex in Omole Phase 1. Current Standing (2026) with 450 Active Students, 128 Academic & Support Staff, 48 Classrooms, 15+ Specialized Learning Centers, and a 9,000-Sqm Sports Complex.

The institution's current academic ecosystem includes specialized facilities such as fully stocked Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Basic Science and Technology laboratories. It also houses state-of-the-art ICT labs, an immersive Language Room, an analytical Mathematics Clinic, an Introductory Technology Laboratory, an Art Studio, a Music Room, and modern Home Economics learning spaces.

Recognizing that the core of educational delivery rests entirely on the quality of its instructors, Mrs. Falore deliberately structured 12 dedicated rooms inside the central school complex. These spaces are reserved for the upcoming rollout of a specialized Teachers’ Training School, designed to elevate professional teaching standards across the broader West African sub-region.

This focus on cross-border excellence is not new for the institution. Between 1999 and 2015, the school routinely sponsored comprehensive study tours for its instructors and administrative heads to leading schools across South Africa and the United Kingdom, allowing its workforce to master global best practices in classroom management and institutional leadership.

Global Impact Beyond the Classroom: The ripple effect of Mind Builders' internal training systems has reached international scales. The institution has produced numerous first-class graduates from elite universities across Nigeria, Europe, and North America. Furthermore, several former faculty members have transitioned from the school to establish and manage independent educational centers across Nigeria, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Beyond conventional classroom metrics, Mind Builders School maintains a deep, active footprint in community interventions. Driven by the founder's belief that top-tier educational access should never be restricted to affluent families, the school consistentlyfunds comprehensive scholarship programs for indigent students, protects learning pipelines for vulnerable children, and regularly donates structural resources to upgrade neighboring public schools.

On a macro level, Mrs. Falore has continuously steered national education policy through executive contributions within prominent regulatory groups. These include active leadership tenures across:

The National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS). The Association of Private Educators in Nigeria (APEN). The World Organization for Early Childhood Education (OMEP)

Lagos 2027: Badagry Women Unite in Massive Solidarity Rally for APC Deputy Gov Candidate Princess Damilola Sonayon-James

 By: Manoah Kikekon 

BADAGRY, LAGOS — A powerful wave of political mobilization swept through the historic town of Badagry on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, as influential women leaders and grassroots political stakeholders converged to declare total support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The political gathering, held at the Badagry Local Government Secretariat, served as a unified platform for women groups across three major councils—Badagry Local Government, Olorunda Local Council Development Area (LCDA), and Badagry West LCDA—to endorse the joint APC ticket and celebrate the nomination of Badagry-born Princess Damilola Sonayon-James as the party's official Deputy Governorship Candidate.

Speaking at the well-attended gathering, Mrs. Elizabeth Oluwatoyin Hunpe, the wife of the Executive Chairman of Badagry Local Government, highlighted the profound historical weight of the nomination. She noted that selecting Princess Sonayon-James is a crucial turning point that directly addresses the long-standing political underrepresentation of the Badagry division within the state’s executive council.

Mrs. Hunpe strongly challenged the regional coordinators to channel their enthusiasm into a coordinated voter turnout strategy:

“The emergence of Princess Damilola Sonayon-James represents a significant step toward addressing the long-standing political marginalization of Badagry within Lagos State’s governance structure. We must rally behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the APC governorship ticket, and all party candidates, because unity and commitment to the party will deepen political inclusion and accelerate development across the area.”

The Chief Convener of the solidarity event, Mrs. Arinola Sunny Ajose, offered an emotional tribute to the structural efforts that paved the way for this milestone. She expressed deep appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC high command for listening to the yearnings of the border community.

Mrs. Ajose revealed that the nomination marks the ultimate realization of a political dream championed by her late husband, Chief Akinsanya Sunny Ajose, who spent years advocating for Badagry to occupy top-tier executive seats:

“This development reflects years of sustained advocacy for greater inclusion. My late husband strongly championed higher political recognition for Badagry before his passing. The emergence of Princess Sonayon-James stands as a historic milestone that would have brought him immense pride.”

Expanding on the operational layout of the upcoming campaign, Mrs. Folashade Kofoworola Ajose, wife of the Executive Chairman of Olorunda LCDA, categorized the nomination as a rare political honor. She highly praised First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu for her unwavering advocacy for female inclusion in national and state governance, urging party faithful to convert their appreciation into an overwhelming landslide victory at the polls.

Similarly, Mrs. Mariam Yemaren, wife of the Executive Chairman of Badagry West LCDA, described the ticket as a profound source of communal pride, emphasizing that "collective effort and sustained prayers" would remain the definitive keys to unlocking electoral success.

Reinforcing the need for structured campaign systems, Mrs. Bukola Bamgbose, wife of the APC Apex Leader in Badagry West, warned that political goodwill alone cannot win elections without active, continuous engagement:

“The immense political goodwill surrounding this nomination must be sustained through disciplined grassroots engagement and aggressive voter mobilization across every ward.”

The event concluded on a highly passionate note with a unanimous, formal endorsement of Princess Damilola Sonayon-James, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and all regional APC candidates, with the women leaders pledging an unbroken chain of field operations across the entire Badagry Federation.