Hard times: Lagos Government extends work-from-home policy

Lagos State Government has extended its work-from-home policy for its workers for the next three months. Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu approved the extension in a circular signed by the state Head of Service, Mr Bode Agoro, on Wednesday. He directed that workers on grade levels 01 to 14 were allowed to work from home for two days a week, while those on grade levels 15 to 17 were allowed to work from home for one day a week. The decision was aimed at reducing the effects of the removal of fuel subsidies on the workers. Sanwo-Olu stated in Wednesday’s circular that the policy made positive impacts on workers’ productivity in the various ministries, departments and agencies of the state government. NAN reports that the extension took effect from Sept. 4.

Police accused of blasphemy as Shi’ites petition NHRC, UN, EU

ABUJA – Members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, also known as Shi’ites, have petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), the United Nations (UN), the European Union (EU), and Amnesty International (AI) over alleged blasphemy by the Nigeria Police Force. The petition, filed by Fatima Aliyu Adam on behalf of the Academic Forum of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (AFIMN), accuses the police of forcefully removing the hijabs of Muslim women detained during the recent Abuja Arba’een Symbolic Trek. According to the petition, the incident occurred twice: while the women were in detention and during their parade before the media. A video of the incident, taken by a police officer and shared on social media, has sparked outrage. The petition specifically targets Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun and FCT Commissioner of Police Benneth Igweh, alleging blasphemy against Islam. It noted that over 100 people, including 55 women and children, two babies, and two nursing mothers, are currently detained at the Intelligence Response Squad (IRT) facility in Abuja. The Shi’ites claim the police actions violated the constitutional rights of Muslim women and the Supreme Court ruling in Lagos State Govt. v. Asiyat Abdulkareem (2022), which upheld the right to wear hijab. They demanded a forensic investigation into the forceful removal of Muslim women’s hijabs by the FCT Police to identify the perpetrators of this taboo. The Islamic Movement warned that the alleged blasphemy could ignite unrest and conflict, citing previous hijab-related issues that led to heated debates, violence, and school closures. Above all, the Shi’ites urged the NHRC, UN, EU, and Amnesty International to intervene and ensure justice for the affected Muslim women.The separate petitions read, “This case of Nigerian police officers deliberately parading Muslim sisters without hijab in the FCT Police Command, as well as the subsequent broadcast of pictures and videos from the scene, is an insult to not just the victims but Islam as a whole. “Certainly, forceful removal of hijab is an abuse not to the Muslim Sisters arrested but to entire Muslims and blasphemy against Islam. It is pertinent to state that for a public officer to blaspheme Islam in Nigeria is capable of causing discontent, unpredictable predicaments, and conflict. “We therefore demand a forensic investigation into the forceful removal of Muslim Sisters’ hijab by the FCT Police to unravel the perpetrators of this taboo, which is capable of igniting a crisis in the country to avoid its reoccurrence.”

Confusion as Ogun mob set ablaze alleged bike thief

There was pandemonium in Ilisan Remo in Ikenne Local Government on Tuesday as a detachment of soldiers and police clashed with some Hausa youths over their insistence on killing an army officer alleged to have been part of a two-man gang who had attacked one of them and wanted to disappear with his motorcycle. Our correspondent, who was at the scene of the crisis, gathered that while one of the alleged thieves had been clubbed and burnt to death, the other young man alleged to be wearing an army uniform escaped into one of the buildings after being stabbed. The Hausa youths, however, mobilised themselves and vowed to deal with the escapee the same way they dealt with his accomplice. All entreaties by the leaders of the community and the police who first responded fell on their deaf ears as they insisted on killing the military personnel in hiding, explaining that they have suffered so much from those who usually attack them and collect their bikes. A detachment of soldiers in two pickup vans later came around shooting sporadically into the air and sending people to scamper to safety. The Sagamu Area Command of the Nigeria Police had earlier responded with an armoured tank stationed at Ilisan junction to quell the crisis. A resident of the town who craved anonymity told our correspondent that many of the Hausas have lost their motorcycles to these assailants. He, however, condemned their insistence on taking laws into their own hands. “Some of these Hausas have lost their motorcycles to these attackers in recent times but the right thing to do is to follow the law. “It is wrong of them to be insisting on carrying out jungle justice. This was how they almost burned down the police station about three years ago because they insisted on killing two suspected bike thieves who were being held in custody at Ilisan police station. “Today, they have killed one of the suspects and we gathered that the one wearing an army uniform who escaped into one of the buildings might not make it too because he had been wounded with a knife. This can’t continue, it is wrong,” the source said. The Chairman of Ilisan Development Association, Otunba Wemmy Osude, in a statement on Tuesday, said the Hausa youths apprehended two suspects for stealing a motorcycle (okada). “One of the suspects was caught by a mob and tragically set on fire. The other suspect, who was dressed in an army uniform, sought refuge in a nearby house. “A large crowd of over 200 young northerners gathered outside the house, demanding the release of the suspect. Despite efforts to disperse the mob, they remained defiant. “The situation intensified until the Army intervened with a commando-style rescue operation, successfully evacuating the suspect. “During the operation, a shootout occurred as soldiers responded to the increasingly hostile crowd, who began throwing stones and damaging two vehicles. “The soldiers displayed remarkable bravery and professionalism, using tear gas to disperse the mob and restore order to the area,” the statement read. The Assistant Director Army Public Relations 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta, Captain Idereghi Akari, confirmed the incident to our correspondent on Wednesday. Akari, however, said that the soldier alleged to have been wounded by the Hausas was not a thief while the person killed was a civilian promising to get back to our correspondent for more details “The soldier is not a thief. The deceased person is a civilian,” he said.

Court jails 39 internet fraudsters in Oyo

Operatives of the Ibadan Zonal Command of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested 39 suspected internet fraudsters in Oyo State. The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Ibadan, the state capital. The suspects were prosecuted by Justices O.S. Adeyemi, Bayo Taiwo and Ladiran Akintola, all of the Oyo State High Court, sitting in Ibadan. Oyewale said they were prosecuted on a separate one-count charge each, bordering on impersonation, cheating, possession of fraudulent documents and obtaining by false pretence. The convicts were Fasanya Gbolahan; Nkiri Destiny; Fakoya Samuel; Owolabi Damilare; Isiaka Adebayo; Olawoyin Olasunkanmi; Olawale Abideen; Olayiwola Waheed; Kehinde Abdulrauf; Okunlola Abidoun; Okunlola Mujeeb; Ademeso Olamide; Lawal Ridwan; Femi Oluremi; Ehinmowo Damilola; Joseph Justice; Enitan John; Kolawole Josaiah; Alo Emmanuel; Adetola Idris and Joshua Shiyanbola. Others include Idowu David; Salau Ayomide; Adeyemi Adeleke; Philip Olatunde; Fasanya Tunde; Seun Babatunde; Ogoayo Sijuola; Akanji Bidoun; Quadri Oyindamola; Samuel Oluwatobi; Ogunyemi Opemiposi; Olabanjo Olatunbosun; Paul Uche; Ayomiposi Akinyimika; Abdullahi Adisa; Ajetunmobi Olashile; Oluwaseun Adeniran and Onah Ayomide. The charge against Austine Ayomide reads, “That you, Ayomide ‘M’ on or about March 28, 2024, at Ibadan, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, fraudulently impersonated by representing yourself to be a white woman by the name Linda Mary from United States of America, through your Facebook account (Linda Mary) to one Clifton Deininger, from United States of America, with intent to gain advantage for yourself and thereby committed an offence of personation contrary to Section 484 of the Criminal Code Law Cap 38, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.” They all pleaded “guilty” to the charges when they were read to them, following which prosecution counsel reviewed the facts of the cases, tendered incriminating documents and prayed the courts to convict and sentence them accordingly. Justice Adeyemi convicted and sentenced Ayomide to one year of community service or to pay a fine of N200,000; Tunde got a month jail term or to pay a fine of N250,000 while Abeeb Ayomide, Adeleke, Babatunde, Biodun, Oyindamola, Oluwatobi, Olatunbosun, Uche, Akinyimika, Adisa, Olashile and Adeniran bagged six months community service each and to pay N50, 000.00 each in addition to their sentence, besides Abeeb Ayomide who was slammed with N500, 000.00 in addition to his sentence. He slammed Sijuola with one month of community service or to pay a fine of N100,000. Olatunde and Opemiposi were handed three months of community service without an option of a fine. Justice Taiwo on his part convicted and sentenced Taoreed Abidoun to three months imprisonment and Mujeeb to four months jail term while Olasunkanmi and Abideen bagged six months community service each and were further ordered to pay a fine of N150,000.00 each in addition their sentences. He convicted and sentenced Gbolahan, Damilare, Adebayo and Abdulrauf to five months of community service each and gave the latter a fine option of N100,000. Waheed and Samuel got four months of community service, and a fine of N100,000.00, while Destiny bagged two months of community service. Justice Akintola convicted and sentenced Olamide, Oluremi, Damilola, Justice, Josaiah, Emmanuel and Shiyanbola to bag a one-year jail term each or to pay a fine of N30, 000.00, N50, 000.00, N75, 000.00, N75, 000.00, N50, 000.00, N120, 000.00 and N100, 000.00 respectively. Damilola forfeited a green-coloured Nissan Micra car with registration number: LSD – 464 – GU with Chassis Number: SJNFBAK11U3001751; Emmanuel forfeited a black-coloured Lexus IS 250 car with registration number: MUS–158–JHS and Justice forfeited a black-coloured Toyota Corolla car with registration number: FST-607–GN. Justice Akintola convicted and sentenced Idris and David to six months of community service each or to pay fines of N60,000.00 and N150, 000.00 respectively. Ridwan and John bagged three months of community service each or to pay fines of N25, 000.00 and N30, 000.00 respectively. The convicts forfeited all items recovered from them to the Federal Government. All the convicts began their journey to prison when they were arrested in a sting operation for fraudulent internet activities.

Police arrest child trafficker, rescue victims in Anambra

The Anambra State Police Command said it has arrested a suspect(name withheld), who is said to be a member of a gang that specialises in child trafficking from Nigeria to neighbouring countries like Ghana and the Benin Republic. The command’s spokesman, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a press statement on Wednesday. Ikenga said the arrest followed the concern raised by the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Nnaghe Itam, about the increasing reports of missing persons in the state. He said, “Anambra Police Command have in custody a suspect(name withheld), a member of a gang that specialises in child trafficking between the ages of 13 to 16 to neighbouring countries like Ghana, Benin Republic etc. “The arrest is following the concern of the Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Itam, about the spate of reports of missing persons, especially within Okpoko, Onitsha and tasked the police operatives to nip such in the bud.” According to him, the child trafficking victim has been safely returned from Accra, Ghana to Nigeria and debriefed. “The suspect is also currently undergoing interrogation at the State Criminal Investigation Department, Awka for possible rescue of other victims and arrest of other gang members,” he added.

Hello world!

Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!

MAN ESCAPES BEING BURNT ALIVE IN IBADAN

  A shocking incident unfolded on March 24, 2023, at the Iwo Road junction in Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, where a mob nearly lynched a man accused of homosexuality. Adeola Fayemi, the alleged bisexual man, was attacked by a group of people who allegedly discovered his relationship with the driver of a Mercedes Benz car. Eyewitnesses claimed Fayemi was dragged along the road and severely beaten after being accused of having a homosexual relationship with the driver, who sped away in the car. Despite initial denials, Fayemi later admitted to being with the driver at a hotel but maintained their interaction was non-sexual. The mob’s anger did not subside, and they decided to take the law into their own hands. In a horrific turn of events, the mob attempted to burn Fayemi alive on their way to the police station. Fortunately, the men of the Oyo State Park Management System stationed at Iwo Road intervened and rescued him from the enraged crowd and he was able to escape eventually. Further investigation confirmed Fayemi’s bisexual orientation after tracing him to his residence in Ologuneru community, Ibadan, Oyo State.

From Sketches to Spotlight: How Omolade Ladejobi Is Weaving African Elegance Into a Global Fashion Statement

At barely two years into launching Anikky Stitches Fashion Hub, Omolade Suliat Ladejobi is proving that passion, culture, and creativity can be stitched into a powerful fashion legacy. In this exclusive interview with CityBuzzNews, the Mass Communication graduate turned fashionpreneur shares how her roots, resilience, and raw talent helped her rise from sketching outfits in school to dressing public figures and dreaming of global runways—all while staying deeply connected to her African identity. Excerpt How did your academic journey influence your path as a fashion designer? I studied Mass Communication at Lead City University, Ibadan, and graduated in 2015. Studying communication sharpened my storytelling abilities, which I now express through fashion. It helped me understand how to connect with audiences—a skill that’s been vital in growing my fashion brand. What inspired you to pursue a career in fashion design? My greatest inspiration came from my mother, who was a talented sew mistress. Watching her bring fabrics to life with skill and passion sparked my early interest in fashion. Fashion has always been my language of creativity. Even while in school, I sketched outfit ideas and styled friends for events. Over time, what began as a passion evolved into a purposeful career. Did you receive formal training in fashion? I received mentorship and vocational training under the guidance of Tailored by MEENAH. She was my only formal teacher in the field, and her mentorship was instrumental in helping me develop both technically and creatively. What challenges did you face starting out in fashion? One of the toughest parts was gaining recognition in a highly competitive industry. I had to prove myself with every design, ensure my pieces spoke for themselves, and gradually build trust within my client base. What is your design style, and what sets your brand apart? My designs blend modern aesthetics with rich African cultural elements. I create pieces that are elegant, expressive, and empowering—designed especially for women who want to stand out with grace and confidence. What’s a proud moment you’ve had in your career so far? Dressing a public figure for a red carpet event was a huge milestone. Seeing my design appreciated on such a platform reassured me that my work resonates beyond borders. How do you stay creative and relevant in a fast-changing industry? I draw inspiration from everyday life, nature, music, and culture. I also keep up with global trends, collaborate with other creatives, and remain open to learning and evolving. What advice would you give to upcoming fashion creatives? Start with what you have, be consistent, and never stop learning. The journey isn’t easy, but if you stay passionate and authentic, you’ll carve your space. What brought about the name Anikky Stitches? The name “Anikky Stitches” was born out of a personal nickname and the desire to create something truly reflective of my personality and journey. It carries a sense of familiarity and pride, tied closely to my identity and the values I uphold as a designer. After freelancing for about 12 months, I officially founded my fashion brand, Anikky Stitches Fashion Hub, in July 2021. The name represents my commitment to craftsmanship, originality, and empowering every client through bold, elegant fashion. What’s next for you and your brand? Looking ahead, my vision for Anikky Stitches Fashion Hub is to evolve into a globally recognised fashion powerhouse. I’m developing a luxury ready-to-wear line that fuses African elegance with global trends, and I plan to launch flagship collections at international fashion weeks. I’m also working on creating a mentorship platform for emerging designers, aimed at nurturing fresh talent and promoting sustainable, culturally rooted fashion design. My ultimate goal is to establish a creative studio that serves as a hub for innovation, empowerment, and African excellence. Contact: 08077874964 Instagram- anikky_stitches