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The Kano State Government said it has involved the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies in the Distribution Committee overseeing the Federal Government’s donated N8 billion to victims of the Singer Market fire, to ensure transparency and fairness.

The committee on the Singer Market inferno, under the leadership of the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Umar Faruk, paid an inspection visit to the market to assess the situation on the ground.
He insisted that transparency and fairness are the watchwords of the committee’s work.

Speaking, Alhaji Umar Faruk said justice and fairness would be strictly adhered to in the distribution of the support to the affected victims.

“As you can see all these Federal Government anti-corruption bodies and the police and other top security agencies are not just involved but to critically ensure that every person’s affected is attended to,” he said.

He appealed to the affected victims to be honest while declaring their losses to the committee in order to ensure fairness.

“We expect that every marketer who is affected by the fire would be honest and fair to God by openly showing us his losses and the remaining goods that were saved so that everyone would be treated justly,” he said.

The chairman of Kano Singer Market, Barrister Mohammad Zakari Junaid, said all anti-corruption agencies and security bodies were incorporated into the committee to ensure justice and fairness.
He reassured that the funds would be judiciously utilised.

In his remarks, the representative of the Commissioner of Police, ACP Jauro, said the Nigeria Police would not relent in ensuring adequate security across the entire market, with a view to promoting the status of Kano as the commercial nerve centre of sub-Saharan Africa.

Also speaking, Sarkin Fadan Kano, Alhaji Ado Kurawa, said the Emirate sympathised with the business community over the sad incident of the Singer Market inferno, urging traders to cooperate with the committee to ensure the successful execution of its assignment.

Kano involves EFCC, Police in N8bn Singer Market fire relief distribution

The Lagos State Police Command has reopened the Lagos-Badagry Expressway at the Otto–Ijanikin axis after a violent clash between youths from the Ijanikin and Otto communities disrupted traffic and resulted in one death.

In a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Adebisi, the Command confirmed that the expressway, which had been blocked for several hours, was fully cleared and reopened to motorists around 9:00am.

According to the statement, the Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, personally led a combined team of police operatives and tactical units to the scene to restore order and ensure the resumption of free movement along the corridor.

The police disclosed that a man identified as Akinyemi Omo Akin sustained gunshot injuries during the clash and later died at the hospital. Addressing public speculation, the Command said preliminary findings ruled out police involvement in the shooting, noting that intelligence reports indicated that cultists brought in by both factions had engaged in a gun duel before officers arrived at the scene.

Seven suspects linked to the violence have been arrested from both communities.

Police said those in custody have made voluntary statements admitting their respective roles in the clash.

A locally fabricated pistol and two live cartridges were also recovered from one of the suspects.

The Command added that tactical squads and anti-riot personnel have been deployed across the affected areas and nearby bushes to track down other suspects who fled during the disturbance.

Warning against further breaches of public peace, the police said anyone found instigating or sponsoring violence would face the full force of the law.

Parents and guardians were also urged to caution their wards against acts capable of endangering lives and property.

The update followed reports from residents calling for increased security deployment in Ijanikin, Agbara and Oto Awori amid fears of growing gang activity.

In response, the police assured residents that adequate personnel had been mobilised to maintain calm and prevent any resurgence of violence.

The Commissioner of Police has directed a comprehensive investigation into the incident, to be handled by the State Criminal Investigation Department at Panti, as officers remain on the ground to sustain peace and reassure the public.

Lagos: Police reopen Badagry Expressway after deadly Otto–Ijanikin communal clash

The International Press Centre, IPC, has condemned the verbal assault on journalist Chika Nwabueze by Abia State Governor Alex C. Otti during a media chat.

Nwabueze had asked the Governor for verifiable data showing how his policies have improved Abia’s economic and living conditions beyond infrastructure. Instead of responding, Otti verbally attacked him and told him to “shut up.”

IPC Executive Director Lanre Arogundade said, “The Governor’s angry reaction was very condescending and not expected of an elected leader who has the responsibility to give account to the citizens who voted him into office.”

Arogundade added, “Mr. Chika was within his constitutional and professional rights as a journalist to ask the governor the question. Any public figure, especially a duty bearer, should expect to be subjected to public scrutiny.”

The IPC is calling on Governor Otti to publicly apologise to Nwabueze and reminds all public office holders to be accountable and prepared for scrutiny.

IPC condemns Governor Otti’s verbal attack on journalist, Nwabueze

Governor Alex Otti has drawn public ire following his verbal attack on a journalist during a media chat held in the State on Friday.

DAILY POST reports that a viral video captured the moment Governor Otti lost his cool after a journalist asked him to provide data showing how his policies have improved the lives of Abia residents, describing the question as “irresponsible” and “stupid.”

During the governor’s monthly media chat, Chika Nwabueze asked:

“Your Excellency, your administration has received praise for infrastructure projects and reforms, but critics say transparency and inclusive governance need improvement. Can you provide verifiable data showing how your policies have directly improved the standard of living of Abia people?”

In response, Governor Otti criticized the journalist, saying:

“You’ve not said anything. Do you live in Abia? Since you live in Umuahia, you should be the one to provide data. This is a serious media chat. We are not here to massage opposition. You cannot come to my media chat and ask me to provide data about the measurable impact of work being done in the state where you live. It is irresponsible. Just because we open this forum for questions doesn’t mean people should be stupid.”

The governor added that his focus is on delivering his campaign promises rather than providing detailed data on government projects:

“Let’s take this seriously. Speech is free, but when you come to my media chat you must be prepared. If you don’t have a question, don’t raise your hand. What do you want to hear from me?”

The governor’s action has attracted condemnation on social media, with many calling on him to apologize to the journalist.

Another angle has emerged, with some alleging that the Governor’s reaction may have been politically motivated, given that the journalist, Chika Nwabueze, works for Don Media Group, owned by Mayor Lucky Igbokwe, popularly called Don Lulu, an APC stakeholder, who is also the Abia State Director of the City Boy Movement.

A source hinted that Governor Otti may have perceived the question as an attempt to embarrass him, potentially benefiting the radio station owner, who is reported to have mobilized a large number of political elites in support of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.

However, Don Media Group, in a statement signed by its Managing Director Alozie Uzoukwu, said:

“Don Media Group firmly rejects any suggestion that the question asked by its journalist during the recent media chat with His Excellency, Governor Alex Chioma Otti, was sponsored, influenced, or intended as a ‘hatchet job’ on behalf of any individual, group, or movement.

“The question posed was legitimate, professional, and fully consistent with the constitutional responsibility of the media to seek clarification on the impact of government policies and projects on the people. This is the essence of accountability journalism and the very purpose of a media chat.

“Don Media Group operates with strict editorial independence. Our journalists perform their duties professionally and are neither proxies nor agents of our Chairman, the City Boy Movement, nor any political or socio-civic organization. Any attempt to attribute their professional conduct to ownership affiliations is incorrect, unfair, and undermines the integrity of independent journalism.

“We also consider it inappropriate to drag the name of our Chairman or any socio-philanthropic movement into a purely professional journalistic exchange. The growing visibility and public resonance of civic initiatives such as the City Boy Movement reflect legitimate citizen engagement and should not be used as a basis to question the professionalism or independence of media practitioners.

“Media chats are platforms for transparency, not endorsement ceremonies. Journalists must be able to ask questions freely without fear of political misinterpretation or reputational attribution.

“Don Media Group remains committed to responsible journalism, democratic accountability, and constructive engagement with the government in the interest of the people. We will continue to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and will not be deterred in our duty to inform the public truthfully, independently, and without fear or favor.”

As of the time of filing this report, the Governor has remained silent on the matter.

City Boys Movement: Uproar as Gov Otti attacks journalist during media chat