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April 7, 2025 Police Deploy Teargas on Protesters in Rivers State

Police Deploy Teargas on Protesters in Rivers State

Tensions escalated in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, as police unleashed teargas on protesters gathered at Isaac Boro Park. The young demonstrators, undeterred by prior warnings from law enforcement, asserted their rights, declaring, “Nobody can tell us where not to gather; we are Rivers people.”

The situation deteriorated further as police pursued the protesters, resorting to physical force against some, including journalists covering the event. The group had previously notified the Rivers State Police Command of their plans in a letter dated April 3, 2025, insisting their demonstration was lawful.

Speaking to reporters earlier, one protester emphasized the peaceful nature of their action, stating, “We are not here for violence.” He outlined their demands, which included the repeal of the Cybercrime Act and the reinstatement of Governor Siminalayi Fubara. “As it stands, we have no government,” he explained. “This administration in Rivers State feels foreign to us—it’s unconstitutional. We’re here to demand that our governor returns to office and leads us properly. Our social contract is with him, not a sole administrator. This is democracy.”

 

April 7, 2025 Driver Rescued As Car Falls Off Otedola Bridge In Lagos

Driver Rescued As Car Falls Off Otedola Bridge In Lagos

In the early hours of Monday, a private vehicle plummeted off the Otedola Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, sparking alarm among commuters and onlookers. Initial reports suggest the car carried four passengers, all of whom suffered injuries of varying severity.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) confirmed the incident via a post on X, though it only mentioned the rescue of the driver, who was promptly transported to a nearby hospital. “A car fell from Otedola Bridge in an accident earlier today,” LASTMA stated. “The driver has been rescued and taken to a nearby hospital. Traffic is backed up from Otedola Bridge to Berger inward Secretariat, but our officers are on site, managing the situation effectively. Additional personnel are also present, handling necessary tasks.”

The accident took place near the same location where a gas truck explosion claimed at least six lives just weeks prior, adding to the area’s recent history of roadway incidents.

 

April 7, 2025 Youths Ignore Police Caution, Hold Protests in Lagos, Abuja, Rivers, and Beyond

Youths Ignore Police Caution, Hold Protests in Lagos, Abuja, Rivers, and Beyond

On Monday, young activists from the Take-It-Back Movement brushed aside police warnings and took to the streets in a series of protests across Abuja, Lagos, Oyo, Rivers, and other states. Donning their distinctive orange berets, the demonstrators kicked off their rally in Lagos at the Ikeja Under Bridge, marching through key roads in the state capital while singing songs of solidarity, all under the close supervision of police personnel.

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) had previously called on the group to abandon its planned nationwide demonstration, labeling the timing as “ill-conceived and mischievous.” The police suggested that the protest, set for Monday, could interfere with the National Police Day celebration. In response, Omoyele Sowore, a prominent activist and former presidential candidate, swiftly rebuffed the NPF’s stance, denying any intent to disrupt the police event and reaffirming the movement’s resolve to proceed.

The Take-It-Back Movement, known for its loosely defined protests, has historically rallied around a range of issues, including the struggling Nigerian economy and the president’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, though Monday’s actions appeared to lack a singular, specific demand. In Oyo State, the group staged a peaceful demonstration in Ibadan, the state capital, with security forces present to maintain order and prevent any disturbances.

April 5, 2025 FG Reopens Independence Bridge After Emergency Repairs

FG Reopens Independence Bridge After Emergency Repairs

The Federal Government has reopened the Independence Bridge in Lagos after completing emergency repairs. The move follows a two-day ordeal where millions of Lagos residents endured severe traffic jams due to the bridge’s closure for scheduled maintenance.

Public backlash prompted the Minister of Works, David Umahi, to order the bridge’s immediate reopening on Thursday. Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had earlier apologized for the congestion caused by the rehabilitation efforts. Speaking at the reopening event on Friday, Umahi revealed that the closure stemmed from a structural collapse of the bridge’s approach slab, which failed due to a flawed cantilever design.

“It shouldn’t have been a cantilever. A free-standing approach slab is wrong—it needs at least one fixed end,” Umahi explained. He noted that the slab gave way when sand beneath it eroded, threatening commuter safety. Acknowledging the chaotic closure, he admitted that proper protocols were skipped and vowed to establish a national standard for road and bridge closures.

“The controller, Olukorede Kesha, didn’t inform us, and we failed to properly notify Lagosians of detours,” he said. “From now on, no closures will occur without drone surveys, detailed problem-and-solution reports, alternative routes, and public announcements.”

Umahi announced a redesign of the bridge into a single-span structure to eliminate pressure on the abutment and address uncertainties like piling depth. He explained that Lagos bridges, including Third Mainland, Carter, and Iddo, rely on skin-friction piling, making them vulnerable to sand erosion. Further studies will inform long-term fixes, with major work set to begin in three weeks after confirming the condition of underground pipes.

To reduce future disruptions, Umahi outlined a phased construction plan, splitting roadwork into two 21-day stages. Some projects will shift to weekends or nights, with the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) overseeing traffic flow. “This isn’t just engineering—it’s about communication, safety, and responsibility. We must serve Nigerians better,” he concluded.

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