At least 25 suspected criminals, including traffic armed robbers who have been frightening drivers and residents along the state’s Lekki-Epe Expressway, have been taken into custody by men of the Lagos State Taskforce.
The extensive operation’s goal was to eradicate criminal activity and miscreants from the Lekki-Epe Expressway and its surroundings.
The operation, which occurred at several important sites like the Elegushi, Marwa Bus Stop, Ikate, and Chisco roundabouts, was reportedly the result of several complaints made by worried citizens and drivers via the agency’s feedback systems.

Concerned locals have reported a startling increase in criminal activity, especially around rush hour, when thugs would set up ambush at discrete locations along the freeway to prey on unwary drivers and pedestrians.

Under special instructions from the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade, the Chairman of the Lagos State Taskforce, Chuef Superintendent of Police, CSP, Adetayo Akerele, spoke about the operation on Friday and emphasized the agency’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all Lagos residents.

“During the sting operation, we arrested at least 25 suspected criminals. They will be prosecuted accordingly.

“We cannot allow these criminal elements to hold our people hostage in their own communities.

“The State Government, remains steadfast in its resolve to protect lives and property. This operation is a testament to our unwavering dedication to this cause,” the Chairman stated.

Residents, while applauding the renewed exercise, the State taskforce, stressed that it’s part of a mandate as enshrined in the THEMES’ PLUS Agenda of the State to restore law and order along the Lekki-Epe Expressway and across the Metropolis.

He gave his word that the threat was no longer present because all of their operations had been stopped.

As a result, Akerele asked citizens and drivers to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

“We will continue to conduct sting operations and surveillance to protect the lives and property of drivers and residents along this axis and beyond. We are still on high alert,” he said.

The Labour Party’s (LP) presidential candidate for 2023, Peter Obi, has denounced the anti-Yoruba remarks made by an Igbo woman in Canada, calling them an example of intolerance gone too far.

Such polarizing remarks, according to Obi, have no place in our society and need to be disapproved of by all.
This was said by the LP standard bearer on Friday in a string of tweets on his X handle.

Obi responded to a voice that was spreading online, that of Amaka Patience Sunnberger, a Nigerian-Canadian living in Canada, who made threats to use drugs to hurt other Nigerians who were Yoruba or Bini.

Obi said, “I utterly condemn the reported hateful statement and actions attributed to a purported Igbo woman living in Canada against Yoruba or Benin people. Such divisive comments or behaviour have no place in our society.

“As Nigerians, we should unite and focus on addressing our shared challenges, rather than allowing tribalism and hatred to tear us apart.

“What does tribal bigotry achieve? Does it lift people out of poverty? Does it reduce the cost of bread, rice, garri or yam, in the market? Does it improve our transportation system or enhance the electricity supply? Does it ensure good governance? The answer is a resounding NO!!

“Our priority should be to move Nigeria forward, regardless of tribe or ethnicity. We need leaders who have the competence and capability to move the country forward in the right direction, and better life for all citizens.

“We don’t care about the tribe of the plane’s pilot or the bus driver; all we need is competent leadership that delivers results.

The battle Israel is conducting in the Gaza Strip has been briefly halted by the necessity to vaccinate about 640,000 children under the age of ten against polio.

In order to enable health officials to vaccinate youngsters in Gaza against polio, Israel consented to a series of three-day “humanitarian pauses.” This was stated yesterday by the World Health Organization, or WHO.

“The way we discussed and agreed, the campaign will start on the first of September, in central Gaza, for three days. And there will be a humanitarian pause during the vaccination,” said Rik Peeperkorn, the agency’s representative for Palestinian territories.

Both northern and southern Gaza will be included in the immunization campaign. Each will receive a three-day break, Peeperkorn informed the media. He further mentioned that Israel had promised to give one more day if needed.

The goal of the immunization program is to immunize nearly 640,000 youngsters less than ten.

“We stress the critical importance for all parties to adhere to the commitments that have been made,” Michael Ryan, WHO deputy director-general, told the UN Security Council.

“At least 90 percent of coverage is needed during each round of the campaign to stop the outbreak and prevent the international spread of polio,” he added.

He reported that 1.26 million doses of the NoPV2 vaccination had been sent to Gaza and that 400,000 more were on their way.

Oral administration of the vaccination involves two drops. To finish the immunization, medical personnel must come back in four weeks to give each youngster two more drops.

Still, there hasn’t been any public debate about scheduling another ceasefire.

Oren Marmorstein, Israel’s foreign affairs spokesman, said on X that his government “has coordinated a large-scale operation with WHO and UNICEF to vaccinate children in the Gaza Strip against polio.”

Claiming support for the “UN humanitarian truce,” Hamas

Deputy US ambassador to the UN Robert Wood stated that it is “crucial that this campaign be implemented without delay.”

“Ensure periods of calm and refrain from military operations during vaccination campaign periods,” he said of Israel, as well as “facilitate access for agencies carrying out the vaccination campaign.”

The polio outbreak in Gaza has alarmed both the US and the EU. Their worries stemmed from the fact that a 10-month-old baby who had not had any vaccinations this month had the first case in 25 years.

The poliovirus is extremely contagious and primarily spreads by tainted water and sewage.

In Gaza, where Israel has destroyed most of the infrastructure in the region during its war with Hamas, poor hygiene is becoming a more widespread issue.

Children under the age of five are primarily affected by the condition. It is potentially lethal and can result in malformations and paralysis.