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Edo Govt Fingers External Sponsors Behind Ekpoma Protest

By
Ayodele Oni
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Ekpoma Residents Protest Incessant Kidnappings
Ekpoma Residents Protest Incessant Kidnappings and Killing.

By Ayodele Oni

The Edo State Government has pointed accusing fingers at some indigenes of the state resident abroad for being behind the recent bloody protest at the University town of Ekpoma.

The protest, triggered by continuous kidnappings in the town, led to the destruction of valuable properties including the Monarch’s palace.

Police had on Monday arraigned 52 suspects in connection with the incident with the court ordering their Remand at Correction centre till next month.

In a statement on Tuesday, the state government, dismissed circulating claims of a protest in Ekpoma, Esan West Local Government Area, insisting that the incident was a coordinated riot allegedly sponsored by individuals operating from abroad.

In a statement, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Patrick Ebojele, stated that the government described several viral social media reports as false, misleading and part of a deliberate attempt to destabilise the state.

It said investigations by security agencies revealed that the violence was orchestrated by a Nigerian resident in Russia, alongside other collaborators overseas, who allegedly provided funding and coordination from the diaspora.

According to the government, the sponsors contacted individuals within Ekpoma to organise riots not only in the town, but also in Auchi, Irrua and even around the Government House in Benin City.

“The state government firmly denied claims that those arrested in connection with the violence were students of Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma.

“It clarified that AAU is currently closed and that all students had vacated the hostels long before the incident occurred.

“Officials explained that those arrested were intercepted while allegedly moving towards the university to vandalise property, while others were identified through viral videos showing acts of arson and destruction during the riot.

“The suspects arrested are rioters, not peaceful protesters,” the government stated, adding that the arrests were based on clear evidence, including video footage.

It also stressed that the incident has no connection with AAU students or the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS).

The government further debunked another video circulating online and tagged as a kidnapping incident in Ekpoma, describing it as a gross misrepresentation aimed at spreading fear and damaging the image of the administration.

There were also indications, the government said, that opposition elements, possibly with foreign backing, are sponsoring the unrest to discredit the Edo State Government and create chaos.

While reaffirming its commitment to protecting lives and property, the state assured residents that it is working closely with security agencies to maintain law and order.

It acknowledged that peaceful protest remains a constitutional right but warned that violence, vandalism, rioting and looting would not be tolerated.

Residents of Ekpoma were assured that the situation is under control, with peace and normalcy gradually returning to the town. The public was urged to ignore fake videos and unverified reports and to continue with their lawful activities.

Meanwhile, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo state has condemned the handling of the worsening insecurity in Ekpoma and environs, describing it as a combination of incompetence, indifference, and authoritarian reflexes.

The PDP said Ekpoma has been abandoned to kidnappers and violent criminals, with residents living in fear as attacks escalated unchecked.

The party accused the Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration of having no credible security strategy, noting that instead of confronting criminal gangs through intelligence-led policing and coordinated action, the APC government had chosen the easier but disgraceful option of unleashing state power against unarmed, peaceful citizens.

According to the party, “the arrest and continued detention of peaceful protesters, many of them students, exposed true character of the APC government in Edo State: brutal towards citizens, timid before criminals, and hostile to democratic expression.

“It was unequivocally opposed to kidnapping and killings in all their forms and demanded the immediate dismantling of criminal networks operating freely across Ekpoma and neighbouring communities.

“It said the persistence of these crimes was a direct indictment of the APC government’s failure to govern,” the party added.

Fed. High Court Sacks Oluyede As Ekiti PDP Gov. Candidate

By
Ayodele Oni
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Wole Oluyede
Wole Oluyede

By Ayodele Oni

A Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, has sacked Wole Oluyede as the flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and ordered a rerun of the party’s primary election.

In his ruling, Justice Babs Kuewumi upheld the concerns of irregularities raised by Prince Funso Ayeni during the exercise.

Ayeni had challenged the process, citing the questionable manipulation of the approved delegate list on the day of the election, an action that undermined transparency, internal democracy and fairness.

The court found that the gross abuse of process, disregard for electoral guidelines, and violation of the fundamental principles governing the Peoples Democratic Party were inconsistent with both party rules and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which binds all individuals and institutions without exception.

Oluyede’s name has been missing on the list of political parties’ candidate earlier displayed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In his reaction, the South-West zonal Publicity Secretary of PDP, Mr Sanya Atofarati noted that the party has the right to appeal the judgment, exuding confidence that PDP’s legal team will act on it immediately.

Atofarati maintained that the court ruling does not stop the arrangement of the party for the forthcoming election, as campaign committee has been constituted with massive grassroot mobilisation across Ekiti, ahead of the June 20 governorship poll.

He described the complaint as a conspiracy against the party and its flag bearer, especially in the case of a primary election that was free and fair, as reported by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Officials monitoring the exercise.

His words, “It will appear like a setback going to the fact that by now, people are resolved to change the government in the state because of the underperformance of the current administration.

“So, looking at other alternatives, Ekiti people have been able to say that the People’s Democratic Party is the only political party that has been tested and is trusted.

“And they are looking inward to look at what PDP, the caliber of candidates the People’s Democratic Party will nominate in the election. And the party in its result, after a thorough process of party primaries, the delegates in the primary, elected Dr. Wole Oluyede as the candidate.

“And that being said, some aggrieved members or aspirants of the party went to court to ask the court to nullify the process of the primaries.

“One of the aspirants willfully withdrew her own petition. The party was left with one aspirant. So now the aspirant is asking the court to give judgment to declare the process nullified.

“Now the court has answered that and the process was being said to have been nullified but the truth is, it is the first leg of the judicial process, which means the party has the right to appeal this judgment and I believe the party’s legal team are looking into that and will react appropriately.

“However, Ekiti people need to understand the level of conspiracy against the choice of the People’s Democratic Party and its candidates in this 2026 election. We must continue to remain resolute.

“We are not going to be distracted, the people should expect that we are not relenting and they should be aware that our members have commenced the mobilization drive from units to unit word to word and across the 16 local government of Ekiti state.”

Fayose To Fubara: Who Made You ‘001’? Respect Wike

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Governor Siminalayi Fubara

Ekiti state former Governor Ayodele Fayose has criticized the Rivers state governor, Siminalaye Fubara for describing himself as ‘001’ in the state, describing the act as a disrespect to his former godfather, Nyesom Wike,  Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT.

The governor and Wike have parted ways over the control of the soul of the state.

The former Ekiti helmsman is a close ally of the FCT Minister.

Fayose spoke on Arise Television on Tuesday amid the deep-seated political crisis in the state, as the two former allies clash in their quest to assert themselves over the control of the state.

Those watching the state closely said the governor stoke more fire in the crisis recently by declaring himself ‘001’ after he defected to the ruling APC from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

The political crisis in the state had also worsen last week after Wike’s allies in the state House of Assembly served the governor with Impeachment Notice.

Fubara has however called for calm, assuring the people of the state that the face-off wiill soon become a thing of the past.

According to the former Ekiti helmsman, Fubara has forgotten that Wike made him who he’s as the governor of the oil bearing state. The governor is nothing without the FCT Minister, Fayose insisted.

“There’s a difference between the office and 001. Who gave you the platform to be calling yourself 001?” Fayose stated saying the governor mst accpet Wike as his leader.

He warned the governor to be wary of those pushing him against his former godfather, stating that they will abandon him when the chips are down.

“Who is Governor Fubara? You didn’t know Fubara three years ago. You never heard of a Fubara three years ago,” he said.

“Even if Wike said he’s the leader, it is not to the mouth of Governor Fubara to be contesting that. We all know the truth,” Fayose said.

Former Ogun State First Lady Dies

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Chief (Mrs) Lucia Onabowale Onabanjo
Chief (Mrs) Lucia Onabowale Onabanjo

By Adesina Soyooye

A former First Lady of Ogun State, Chief (Mrs) Lucia Onabowale Onabanjo is dead.

The deceased was the wife of the first civilian  Governor of Ogun State ( October 1979 to December 1993),

Chief Victor Olabisi Onabanjo.

The family, in a short statement, said it announces “with deep regret but with gratitude to Almighty God, the passing of our beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Chief (Mrs) Lucia Onabowale Onabanjo (1925-2026) who was called to glory on Monday, 12 January.”

The statement noted that she lived a fulfilled life and left a legacy of love, strength and faith behind.

Her husband, born on 12 February 1927, died on April 14, 1990.

Chief (Mrs) Onabanjo died at the age of 100 years.

APC Knocks Tambuwal: As Speaker You Did Nothing To Change Nigeria

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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0
Aminu Tambuwal

A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal has received knocks from the Lagos All Progressives Congress, APC over his recent remark to the effect that Nigeria needs urgent “salvation” from its current challenges.

Tambuwal had while speaking during his 60th birthday celebrations in Abuja noted that the country is in a perilous situation, that something is “ fundamentally wrong” in the manner the Bola Ahmed Tinubu ruling APC is running the country.

Reacting, in a statement, the Lagos APC spokesman Seye Oladejo accused the former Speaker of suffering from political “amnesia” if he failed to remember that he was part of the leaders who led the country to where it’s currently stands.

According to him, Tambuwal’s outrage is unnecessarily because when he was in power he failed to do something to correct the problem, adding that the challenges facing the country did not start with Tinubu.

Oladejo urged the former Speaker to behave like a statesman instead of grandstanding about the situation in the country, which he and others inadvertently foisted on the country.

‘’We consider this intervention a classic case of misplaced moral outrage by a principal actor who, when entrusted with responsibility, failed to deploy the very “salvation” he now theatrically advertises,” he said.

Adding, ‘’At moments like this, statesmanship demands introspection and restitution-not grandstanding. Nigerians remember the years when Tambuwal occupied strategic positions in government and the dividends of leadership expected at those times. Sadly, rather than offering a candid reckoning with his record or apologising for missed opportunities, he has chosen to sermonise from a pedestal of selective amnesia.

‘’More instructively, his recent 60th birthday colloquial presented a rare lifeline to truly confess, seek forgiveness and embrace restitution from a nation that gave him so much but received next to nothing in return. It was an auspicious occasion that should have lent itself to sober reflection and an honest recap of stewardship. Instead, that opportunity was cleverly sidestepped. Tales of sainthood ring hollow when public service records and recent legal tussles over graft remain unresolved footnotes that were conspicuously omitted.’’

Tambuwal served as the Speaker of the House of Representatives under the APC before he left the party before the 2023 elections.

Togolese-Led Suspected Human Traffickers In Ondo Police Command’s Net

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Nigerian Police

By Ayodele Oni

Detectives from the Ondo State Police Command have dismantled a suspected human trafficking syndicate at Oda, arresting three suspects and rescuing several victims during a targeted security operation.

Spokesperson of the command, Abayomi Jimoh disclosed this  in a statement made available to journalists.

According to the police, investigations showed that a 30-year-old Togolese national, John Apiah, allegedly worked with two female accomplices to deceive victims with false assurances of securing foreign passports and United States visas.

The suspects were said to have obtained substantial sums in foreign currency from their victims before initially accommodating them in a hotel and later relocating them to a private residence in Oda area of Akure.

Police statement explained that “preliminary investigation revealed that sometime in June 2024, one John Apiah, male, aged 30 years, a Togolese national, came to Oda Town, Akure to work as hair stylist, where he met two young women identified as Blessings Assiah, female, aged 22 years, and Laro Larisa, female, aged 21 years.

“The trio subsequently rented a one room and palour apartment from one Owoeye, male, aged 40 years, in Oda Town.

“Further investigation showed that John allegedly used the two women to lure unsuspecting victims with promises of procuring international passports and American visas.

“In the course of this fraudulent operation, the suspect reportedly collected the sum of 600,000 CFA from Charity Paketerima, female, aged 27 years; 500,000 CFA from Mohammed Assiah, male, aged 25 years; and 500,000 CFA from Kanate Dekadja, male, aged 35 years.

“After collecting the money, the victims were initially lodged in a hotel before being moved to the suspects’ rented apartment in Oda Town, where they were kept under suspicious circumstances.

“Acting on credible intelligence, the Police promptly swung into action, leading to the rescue of the victims and the arrest of the suspects.

“The Commissioner of Police reiterated that the Command has repeatedly warned landlords and property owners to conduct proper background checks on prospective tenants and to be vigilant against allowing their premises to be used for criminal activities, stressing that such negligence would attract serious legal consequences.”

Arrest Warrant On Ondo Commissioner: AG Says No Existing Court Order To That Effect

By
Ayodele Oni
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Kayode Ajulo SAN

By Ayodele Oni

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Ondo State, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, has faulted an arrest warrant issued on the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Seun Osamaye by a Court in the State.

The State Chief Law Officer maintained that as at this moment, there is no material evidence before the Office of the Attorney General and/or any other person or authority confirming the existence of any written court order or warrant of arrest that has been duly issued and served.

Magistrate Damilola Sekoni had last year issued the warrant of arrest of the commissioner for alleged unruly behaviour to another magistrate.

The commissioner was being accused of an alleged assault of a Chief Magistrate, Mrs Temitope Alphonso, during an official visit to her office.

Seun Osamaye
Mrs Seun Osamaye: Court Orders her arrest and detention.

It was alleged that the commissioner verbally and physically assaulted Magistrate Alphonso at the Ministry of Women Affairs during an official visit by the judicial officer to the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, in the presence of staff.

However since the order was issued, Osamaye has been appearing at a public function alongside Governor Lucky  Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State, in the presence of security agents that are supposed to effect the arrest.

Reacting, Dr Ajulo stressed that what is presently in circulation remains largely speculative and rooted in media narratives rather than in properly extracted and served court processes.

According to him, immediately reports of an alleged order filtered into the public space, the Office of the Attorney General took proactive and responsible steps to apply for the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the purported court order, being the only lawful basis upon which advice can be rendered to the Governor and any further constitutional action taken.

“Unfortunately, the day following when the purported order is said to have been given was the 1st of January, 2026, a New Year public holiday, while the second day, Friday the 2nd of January, was declared a work-free day.

“It is now within public knowledge that court workers embarked on an industrial action last Monday, the very day the request was made. Consequently, no written order has been issued, extracted, or served on any authority,” the Attorney General explained.

Dr. Ajulo emphasised that governance and law enforcement do not operate on hearsay, assumptions, or social media commentaries, but strictly on duly issued legal instruments that are properly extracted and served in accordance with the law.

“I owe both a constitutional duty and personal fidelity to the Governor, to the good people of Ondo State, and to the entire realm of justice.

“As a Minister in the Temple of Justice, and indeed, as a Prince within it, I can state without equivocation and on my honour that there has never been a court order issued that I would allow to be disobeyed. This instance will not be an exception.”

The Attorney General further clarified that it is legally impossible to act on, or advise on, a matter for which no formal court notice has been sighted assuring that once any such order is lawfully obtained, examined, and served, the government will take appropriate, lawful, and responsible steps strictly in line with due process.

He further stated that the Governor and the entire government of Ondo State hold the judiciary in the highest regard, noting that the title of Ambassador of Rule of Law in Nigeria bestowed on Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa is not ornamental, but a reflection of his consistent adherence to constitutional governance and respect for judicial authority.

Dr. Ajulo disclosed that he has engaged the Commissioner of Police and other critical stakeholders, as well as the Honourable Commissioner for Women Affairs, who has voluntarily resolved to approach law enforcement agencies.

He queried the legal basis upon which any arrest could be effected, stressing that without a duly issued and served court order, such action would amount to a violation of the law, as the purported order remains unavailable and unverified.

He noted that the issue will be appropriately addressed and conclusively resolved in accordance with due process when the court resumes.

The Attorney General cautioned against efforts to compel law enforcement agencies to act solely on the basis of media speculation, warning that any attempt to effect an arrest without a valid warrant or subsisting court order would itself constitute an abuse of legal process.

Dr. Ajulo confirmed ongoing efforts aimed at resolving the issues between the Chief Magistrate, Mrs. Temitope Alphonsus, and the Commissioner, whom he described as respected sisters and women of great accomplishments, with a shared commitment to service and the administration of justice.

Fidelity Bank Donates Learning Materials To Schools In Makoko

By
James Orji
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0
Fidelity Bank
Top lender, Fidelity Bank Plc, has reaffirmed its commitment to community development and educational empowerment with the donation of essential learning materials to schoolchildren in Makoko Community, Yaba, Lagos under its Fidelity Helping Hands Program, FHHP.
Learning materials provided include school bags, notebooks, mathematical sets, writing materials, and other learning materials to pupils of Makoko Anglican Nursery and Primary School; Aiyetoro Nursery and Primary School, and Adekunle Anglican Nursery and Primary School in Lagos.
Kingsley Ohiri, the bank’s Divisional Head of Legal Services, in his presentation  explained that the gesture forms part of Fidelity Bank’s broader CSR initiatives centered on empowering young people, supporting education, and enhancing social welfare in vulnerable communities.
“The Fidelity Helping Hands Program is our staff volunteer program that enables employees to identify and execute impactful CSR projects,” he said. “Through this program, staff volunteers from the Legal Services Division are here today in Makoko to distribute back-to-school materials such as school bags, notebooks, pencils and other essential learning tools. This aligns strongly with one of our CSR pillars: education.”
Ohiri stressed the bank’s focus on improving access to quality education for children in public schools, especially those from indigent backgrounds.
“Over 500 school bags, more than 2,000 exercise books and several other learning items were distributed today. We at Fidelity Bank are proud to give back to Makoko community. We believe that by supporting these pupils with the tools they need to learn, we are helping to build a stronger future for the pupils, the community and Nigeria,” Ohiri added.
Aimed at enhancing the learning experience of children in one of Lagos’ most underserved riverine communities, the gesture received warm appreciation from school leaders, teachers, and parents who expressed gratitude for the bank’s support.
“We sincerely appreciate Fidelity Bank for selecting our school as one of the beneficiaries. This gesture will go a long way in helping our pupils improve academically. Recognizing students who placed 1st to 10th in their classes is also a great motivation for our children”, Tinubu Abimbola, Head Teacher of Adekunle Nursery and Primary School,  said.
In his remark, the School Manager of Makoko Anglican Nursery and Primary School,  Laoye Joseph, said the donation will have huge impact on the lives of the students.
 “We truly appreciate Fidelity Bank and the continuous support for the educational development of our children. Many families here struggle to provide basic learning materials due to economic hardship, so this intervention is highly impactful. We pray that God continues to uplift the bank,” she said.
Teachers present at the event also noted that many pupils often attend classes without basic supplies, a challenge that affects participation and performance. They commended Fidelity Bank for easing the financial burden on parents, especially amid rising household expenses.
Through FHHP, Fidelity Bank Plc’s staff identify impactful projects in their communities and raise funds to support them. The bank’s management matches these contributions, amplifying their reach and impact.
Ranked among the best banks in Nigeria, Fidelity Bank Plc is a full-fledged Commercial Deposit Money Bank serving over 9.1 million customers through digital banking channels, its 255 business offices in Nigeria and United Kingdom subsidiary, FidBank UK Limited.

“Where Is Nigeria’s President Amid  Deepening Crisis?” – Peter Obi

By
The Source
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0
Peter Obi
Mr Peter Obi

The Presidential candidate and Labour Party leader, Mr. Peter Obi, has raised serious concerns over the prolonged absence and silence of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in the face of what he described as a worsening national emergency.

In a strongly worded statement, Obi asked, “Where is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?” stressing that the question goes beyond curiosity and represents a demand for accountability at a critical time in the nation’s history. He noted that as the year draws to a close, Nigeria is projected to have about 140 million people living in extreme poverty, the highest number in the world. He also pointed to the country’s growing hunger crisis, escalating insecurity, and alarming youth unemployment, with over 80 million young people reportedly without jobs. According to him, Nigeria is now among the worst places to be born, citing infant mortality rates that are even worse than those of a nation seven times its size.

Obi expressed concern that despite these challenges, the President has reportedly spent 196 days abroad in 2025 alone, a period longer than the time spent within the country. He described this as deeply troubling, given the magnitude of Nigeria’s social and economic crises.

He further stated that Nigerians have not heard directly from their President since December 2025. According to Obi, instead of addressing the nation at the start of the New Year, the President reportedly chose to spend the period on holiday in Europe, leaving the country without a New Year address, national broadcast, or any direct message of reassurance and guidance.

Obi  contrasted this situation with what is obtainable in other developing nations, where leaders, he said, step forward and communicate directly with their citizens during difficult times. He criticized the silence of the President following reported U.S. military strikes on Nigerian soil, noting that Nigerians learned about the incident through foreign media and American officials rather than from their own government.

Obi described the situation as “not governance, but neglect,” arguing that leadership requires physical presence, direct engagement, and transparent communication. He lamented that instead of speaking to Nigerians face-to-face, the President had earlier sent what he described as an AI-generated image, which he said symbolized the widening disconnect between leadership and the people.

“Are we being governed, or merely being managed from elsewhere?” Obi asked, emphasizing that leadership is more than issuing press releases through aides. He insisted that Nigerians deserve regular, direct media briefings from their President and a clear understanding of the state of the nation.

He stressed that Nigeria cannot be run like a personal business or a private club, adding that rebuilding and growing the economy requires unity, clarity, and visible leadership. According to him, no policy, reform, or security initiative can succeed in a divided nation, and when leadership withdraws, unity collapses, giving way to mistrust and instability.

“In a time of crisis, the absence of leadership is not just troubling; it is dangerous. Silence in the face of crisis is the loudest form of failure,” Obi declared.

Peter Obi Raises Alarm Over Security Checkpoints Causing Traffic Gridlock

By
The Source
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0
Peter Obi
Mr Peter Obi

Former presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, has expressed serious concern over the increasing traffic congestion caused by poorly positioned security checkpoints across major roads in the country, warning that they now pose a threat to public safety rather than offering protection.

In a statement shared following his travels during the festive season, Obi described the traffic situation on several highways as “distressing,” noting that in many instances, travellers heading to distant destinations were forced to abandon their journeys after spending hours trapped in gridlock.

According to him, the major cause of the congestion is the indiscriminate placement of security checkpoints, particularly at narrow road sections and near construction zones. He described such positioning as counterproductive and irresponsible, as it brings traffic to a complete standstill and imposes unnecessary hardship on road users.

“Security checkpoints are meant to protect lives, not endanger them,” Obi stated. “When their location and operation create prolonged delays, exhaustion, and increased accident risks, then we must re-evaluate how they are being implemented.”

While acknowledging and appreciating the sacrifices and dedication of security agencies, Obi called for greater discretion and flexibility, especially during peak travel periods. He explained that many travellers are already burdened by long distances and poor road conditions, and that additional delays leave drivers fatigued and vulnerable to accidents.

He further warned that extended gridlock forces people who set out early to remain on the road well into the night, exposing them to heightened security risks at a time when insecurity remains a national concern. “Security must never become a source of insecurity,” he emphasized.

Obi advocated a more strategic and humane approach to security operations on highways. He recommended that checkpoints be relocated away from narrow roads and construction areas, that inspections be expedited during heavy traffic, and that security agencies improve coordination to eliminate unnecessary bottlenecks.

According to him, such measures would improve traffic flow without compromising security, protect lives, and make Nigerian roads safer and more efficient for all users.

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