SA News

By Seye Oladejo Lagos is a land of aquatic splendour, a gateway to Nigeria, an investors’ first choice, a melting pot of rich cultural heritage and the undisputed economic nerve centre of the country. It is a state whose identity is defined by enterprise, resilience, ambition and an extraordinary capacity for reinvention. From its strategic coastal advantage to its vibrant commercial landscape, Lagos occupies a place of distinction in Nigeria and across the African continent. But beyond its natural endowments and economic advantages, there is another compelling reason Lagos stands out: its remarkable leadership trajectory and the continuity of purposeful governance that have consistently shaped its development. And now, the Hamzat years beckon! Why is Lagos so blessed? Perhaps the answer lies in the rare combination of visionary leadership, institutional continuity, an enterprising population and a political culture that recognises development as a relay race rather than a solitary spr...

Troops of the Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, have reportedly neutralised several Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) fighters, including a member of the group's Shura Council, Abu Hajara, and a senior commander, Abul Walid, during an encounter in Kukawa, Borno State. The military said two other high-ranking Arab fighters were also killed during the engagement on October 31, 2026, following an attack by ISWAP terrorists on troops' positions in the area. A statement issued on Sunday by the Acting Media Information Officer, Headquarters Joint Task Force (North East), Operation HADIN KAI, Captain Mohammed Goni, said the troops, supported by air assets, repelled the attack. It identified Abul Walid as a prominent ISWAP commander and close associate of Ba Shuwa, described in the statement as the group's overall Wali. The troops also recovered several weapons, ammunition and communication devices following the engagement. The military described the oper...

... POWA President urges integration of counselling into police welfare programmes The National President of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Chief Mrs. Olufunmilola Mutiat Disu, has called for the integration of mental healthcare into police welfare programmes, warning that the psychological demands of policing often affect officers and their families. She made the call while delivering a goodwill message at the Mental Health Conference Nigeria 2026, organised by Safehaven Wellness Centre, with the theme, “From Awareness to Action: Transforming Mental Health Care in Nigeria.” Disu noted that police officers routinely encounter violence, loss, uncertainty and life-threatening situations in the course of their duties, experiences that could leave lasting psychological effects long after they return home. She said the impact often extends to their families, as spouses and children may struggle to understand or cope with emotional changes arising from the pressures of police...

The Lagos State Police Command says it is strengthening its operational readiness and personnel capacity ahead of the 2027 general elections following a five-day Election Security Management Training organised by the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF). The training, held from October 26 to 30, 2026, was facilitated by 3Streams Synergy and brought together police personnel from the Lagos State Command, FCID Annex Lagos, Zone 2 Headquarters, Special Fraud Unit and Special Protection Unit. The programme focused on enhancing officers’ capacity for effective election security management, with sessions covering professionalism, political neutrality, impartiality, respect for human rights, crowd management, inter-agency collaboration and adherence to the rule of law. In a statement issued and signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, on Saturday, the Command said the training was part of efforts to prepare its personnel for the security challenges associated with...

The Mosque Guidance and Development Lagos Initiative (MGDLI) has urged Muslims across Lagos State to participate in its forthcoming three-day anniversary programme aimed at strengthening mosque administration and improving community welfare. The programme, scheduled for October 30 to November 1, 2026, will hold at the Lagos State First Secretariat Mosque Hall (Olanike Hall), Shamsi Adisa Thomas Central Mosque, Ikeja GRA, Lagos. MGDLI said the event would bring together Imams, mosque administrators, Islamic scholars, youth groups, Muslim professionals, community leaders and other members of the Ummah to discuss practical ways of building stronger, cleaner, safer and better-managed mosques. “The responsibility of developing our mosques does not rest solely on Imams and mosque committees. Every Muslim has a role to play in building institutions that reflect the values of Islam, accountability, cleanliness and service to humanity,” the organisation stated. Activities lined up for the anniv...

The Ogun State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old suspected cultist and recovered two locally made pistols, three live cartridges and a battle axe in intelligence-led operations in the state. The suspect, identified as Okiki Muhammed Adewusi, popularly known as “Baba Obo”, was arrested by operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Squad at about 8 p.m. on October 26, 2026, in the Ore area of Atan, Ogun State. In a statement issued on Wednesday, October 28, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Oluseyi Babaseyi, said operatives attached to SWAT Base 7, Abule Iroko, Sango-Ota, acted on credible intelligence to apprehend the suspect. A search of his residence reportedly led to the recovery of a locally made pistol and three live cartridges. The police said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect allegedly admitted to being a member of the Eiye Confraternity. In a follow-up operation at about 6:30 a.m. on October 27, information obtained from the suspect l...

The Enugu State Police Command has arrested a 30-year-old man, Ugbor Chika Paul, over alleged serial rape, robbery and sextortion involving female victims in Enugu. The Command said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspect allegedly lured female Point-of-Sale (POS) operators to secluded locations under the pretext of conducting transactions, where he allegedly robbed and sexually assaulted them. In a press release issued on October 27, 2026, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Daniel Ndukwe, said a phone recovered from the suspect reportedly contained nude images and video clips of identified and unidentified victims. According to the police, the first reported victim, a 20-year-old POS operator at Akwata Market, was allegedly lured to a bush behind St. Peter’s Church, Coal Camp, at about 11 a.m. on May 21, 2026. The suspect allegedly robbed and raped her, taking ₦600,000. The second victim, a 30-year-old POS operator at the same market, was allegedly lured to the loca...