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Economy

Youths In Kwara Protest Kidnappings, Block Ilorin-Omu-Aran-Kabba Highway

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Youths In Kwara Protest Kidnappings

Youths In Kwara Protest Kidnappings, Block Ilorin-Omu-Aran-Kabba Highway

Youths in Kwara protest kidnappings, block Ilorin-Omu-Aran-Kabba highway. Mr Ayanda alleged that despite the payment of ransoms running into millions of naira, many of the kidnapped victims were yet to regain their freedom.

Hundreds of youths in the Isanlu-Isin, Oke-Onigbin, and Edidi communities in Kwara South, on Saturday, blocked the Ilorin-Omu-Aran-Kabba Highway to protest the incessant kidnappings in their communities.

The youths carrying placards with different inscriptions blocked the highway with bonfires as early as 8:00 a.m., demanding government intervention to address insecurity in their communities.

Some of the inscriptions on the placards read, “Enough is Enough,” “Stop Kidnapping our People,” “We Demand Government Urgent Intervention,” “Our people are dying in the hands of kidnappers,” and “We are tired of paying ransom without results.”

The protest resulted in a gridlock on both sides of the highway for hours.

The Odee of Isanlu Isin, Michael Ayanda, who spoke on behalf of the protesters, said the incessant kidnappings had prevented them from going to their farms and embarking on commercial activities.

The protesters also decried the non-responsive attitude of security agencies and the government towards their plight, despite several appeals made through letters and visits to police formations and the government in Ilorin, the state capital.

Mr Ayanda said the protest was to draw the attention of the security agencies and the authorities to their plight.
He alleged that despite the payment of ransoms running into millions of naira, many of the kidnapped victims were yet to regain their freedom.

Mr Ayanda claimed that the whereabouts of at least seven members of the community’s vigilante members, who volunteered to comb the forest to effect the release of their people, were still unknown.

“We have paid N30 million for two people kidnapped earlier, but they have yet to release them; they are asking for another money.

“Today, we have paid another N10 million for the release of seven kidnapped community members, but they have only released one person,” he said.

Youths In Kwara Protest Kidnappings

Youths In Kwara Protest Kidnappings

The chairman of Irepodun Local Government Area, Azeez Yakubu, who addressed the protesters at Eleyin Village near Omu-Aran, appealed for calm and promised to pass their grievances on to the authorities.

Also, Ismaila Ahmed, the Serikin Fulani of Eleyin village in Isin Local Government Area, said, “Our people have become targets of the kidnappers in recent times. No fewer than eleven of our people are yet to regain their freedom, and we have paid N20 million to date.”

Efforts to reach the Kwara Commissioner of Police, Adekunle Ojo, proved futile as he did not pick up calls.

However, the chief press secretary to the governor, Rafiu Ajakaiye, pleaded with the youths to exercise patience as the state government was making efforts to curb insecurity.

Economy

Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition

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Lagos Assembly

Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition

Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.

The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.

Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.

He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.

“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly

Lagos Assembly

“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”

Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.

Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.

He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.

Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.

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Crime

EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video

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EFCC Probes Man

EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video

EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,   on Tuesday, February 3, 2026  arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.

Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC Probes Man

EFCC

Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.

The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

Dele Oyewale
Head,  Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026

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Economy

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

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National Bank Of Kenya

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.

Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.

Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.

Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.

She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

National Bank Of Kenya

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.

“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”

Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.

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