The INEC chairperson also denied the ADC’s accusation that the electoral commission had taken sides due to the interpretation of the order of the appellate court.
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The Lagos State Government has closed a branch of Access Bank Plc in Victoria Island after discovering the discharge of untreated sewage into the public drainage system.
According to statement released by the Lagos state government, the action was carried out following findings by the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO), working with the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps (KAI), over environmental violations at the facility located in Oniru.
The enforcement followed a directive from the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who said the move was necessary to protect the environment and ensure compliance with state laws.
“Following a whistleblower complaint, I directed the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office to visit the Access Bank Plc @myaccessbank building at Oniru, Victoria Island, where it was discovered that the wastewater treatment plant at the facility was non-functional, resulting in the discharge of untreated faecal matter into the public drainage system and causing severe damage to the environment,” Wahab said.
It was gathered that officials of the wastewater agency were initially prevented from carrying out their duties during the first visit, as security personnel and representatives of the bank resisted attempts to seal the premises.
However, samples taken from the discharged waste were later analysed and confirmed to contain untreated sewage, prompting the government to deploy additional enforcement officers to shut down the facility in line with Lagos State environmental regulations.
The commissioner warned that the state would not hesitate to take legal action against individuals or organisations that obstruct government officials in the course of their duties, stressing that strict enforcement would be maintained.
“There are no sacred cows in the enforcement of environmental regulations. Any individual or organisation found violating environmental laws, regardless of status, will be held accountable”, he stated.
Also reacting, the General Manager of the Lagos State Wastewater Management Office, Engr. Adefemi Afolabi, said the agency remains committed to protecting public health and ensuring that environmental laws are fully observed across the state.
He noted that there would be no compromise in enforcing compliance, as the agency continues to monitor activities and address violations.
Lagos govt shuts Access Bank branch over untreated sewage discharge
The INEC chairperson also denied the ADC’s accusation that the electoral commission had taken sides due to the interpretation of the order of the appellate court.
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Mr Nakudu contested the 2023 APC governorship primary but lost to the incumbent, Governor Umar Namadi.
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A coalition of residents, APC loyalists and stakeholders has declared strong support for the senator, insisting that competence, experience and the will of the people should prevail.
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The Middle Belt Peace Forum, MBPF, has described the perpetrators of the recent attacks in Angwan Rukuba, Jos, Plateau State, as cowards who prey on innocent and defenceless citizens, stressing that such acts of violence are not only inhumane but also a direct assault on the unity and peace of the nation.
The Forum condemned in the strongest terms the actions of the cowardly attackers, saying their only aim is to instil fear and destabilise peaceful communities.
In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Pastor Bulus Garba, in Jos on Friday, the Forum asked the federal government to ensure that the actions of the enemies of the state are met with a firm and decisive resistance from all arms of the state.
“We condemn in the strongest terms the actions of these cowardly attackers whose only aim is to instil fear and destabilise peaceful communities. Their actions must be met with firm and decisive resistance from all arms of the state,” Pastor Garba said.
Reacting to President Tinubu’s visit to Jos, the MBPF said his decision to identify with grieving communities sends a message of solidarity and reinforces public confidence in the commitment of the government.
The MBPF also said the courage, gallantry, and sacrifices of the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain central to restoring stability across troubled parts of the country.
It expressed concern over the need for greater synergy among security agencies, particularly the role of the Nigeria Police in consolidating gains made by the military.
The Forum pledged its full support to ongoing military operations and called for strengthened collaboration between security agencies and local communities as a critical factor in achieving lasting peace.
It also urged citizens across the Middle Belt to cooperate with security forces by providing timely information and fostering unity within their communities.
“We call on the Nigeria Police Force to rise fully to its constitutional responsibility by effectively supporting the Armed Forces in stabilising and securing areas that have been cleared of criminal elements. Holding and policing such territories is essential to preventing a resurgence of violence,” Pastor Garba stated.
The Forum emphasised that sustainable peace requires a coordinated approach in which the military clears and secures areas, while the police maintain law and order to enable displaced communities to return and rebuild their lives.
The MBPF reiterated its commitment to peacebuilding efforts across the Middle Belt and expressed optimism that with sustained leadership, coordinated security efforts, and active citizen participation, lasting peace can be achieved.
“Together, through unity, vigilance, and collective resolve, we can overcome these challenges and build a safer and more peaceful Middle Belt,” the statement added.
Jos crisis: MBPF slams attackers, pushes for coordinated security crackdown
Bandits kill residents, soldiers, abduct women and children
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Workers of Seplat Energy have commenced an indefinite strike over unresolved welfare issues and stalled negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement.
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The decision was based on the new tax laws, which empower NRS to administer all federally collectable revenue and account for the same.
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The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, has said that the blood of innocent people, including men, women, and children, in Jos, Plateau State is calling for justice.
This is following the recent killings that occured on the Palm Sunday, adding that the country needs to respond with strong determination.
According to the APC leader, Plateau deserves peace in his reaction to the visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who visited the state to show support to the people after the recent terrible and unnecessary killings of innocent people in Angwan Rukuba, in Jos North Local Government Area.
“The President’s visit shows strong leadership, care for people, and unity for the country, especially as the people of Plateau are still hurting from the cruel and unfair loss of their loved ones due to more violence,” he said.
Yilwatda said he strongly and clearly criticized the killings, calling the attack inhuman, cowardly, and unacceptable, adding that it was a direct attack on the peace, unity, and spirit of Plateau State.
According to Professor Yilwatda, the ongoing shedding of innocent blood in Plateau is not only unacceptable but a national tragedy that must no longer be met with routine outrage and temporary responses.
In a statement signed by Abimbola Tooki, the Special Adviser to the National Chairman on Media and Communications Strategy, Yilwatda said that it’s time for all the right people and groups to work together carefully and with purpose to stop such terrible and unacceptable actions from happening again in Plateau State or anywhere else in the country.
Professor Yilwatda urged leaders from different communities in Plateau State to be more watchful, attentive, and take initiative in spotting and informing about any strange activities or security risks in their areas.
He pointed out that the recurring pattern of killings strongly indicates that many of those responsible for these brutal acts are not ghosts or invisible invaders, but rather criminal elements and miscreants residing within or around the communities, taking advantage of local vulnerabilities to inflict harm on innocent citizens.
In his words, “these bad people can’t stay hidden anymore because of silence, fear, helping them, or everyone ignoring the problem,” he said.
“They have to be found, shown for who they are, caught, and made to suffer the full consequences of the law.”
The APC National Chairman also told security agencies to quickly review and improve their security systems and ways of working to better deal with the ongoing violence in Plateau State.
He said that security agencies cannot keep using old methods to fight smarter and harsher criminal groups and hope for a better result.
Yilwatda therefore called for the implementation of modern surveillance and intelligence-driven technology, such as AI-powered cameras, drones, advanced tracking systems, and real-time intelligence gathering tools, to identify, monitor, and neutralize criminal activities before they occur.
He said the current time calls for smarter, quicker, and more advanced security solutions, adding that keeping people and their belongings safe now needs more than just people working hard, “it also needs technology, smart planning, exactness, and being responsible.”
He said clearly that Plateau cannot keep on grieving again and again, while the enemies of peace are still free to cause fear and harm to ordinary people again and again.
Professor Yilwatda also highlighted the severe economic consequences of insecurity in Plateau State, expressing sorrow that the state, which is endowed with stunning natural scenery, thriving tourism resources, and significant economic prospects, has endured preventable setbacks caused by ongoing violence.
He says that an economy can’t grow when people are scared, investments cannot succeed when there’s violence, and a society cannot really do well if its people live in fear and uncertainty.
Professor Yilwatda called for a whole-of-society approach to ending the violence in Plateau, urging traditional institutions, religious leaders, political actors, youth groups, women’s groups, security operatives, and community stakeholders to collaborate with honesty and patriotism to restore peace and stability.
During the visit, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, along with Yilwatda, Governor Caleb Mutfwang, former leaders, and other important people, went to see the families of the victims from the Angwan Rukuba attack.
Plateau killings: Blood of innocent people calling for justice – APC chair, Yilwatda
