Lagos Assembly condemns suspended Clerk’s actions amid leadership crisis between Meranda, Obasa

The Lagos State House of Assembly has condemned the unauthorised entry of suspended Clerk, Mr Olalekan Onafeko, into the Assembly premises following his suspension announcement on Jan. 13

The Assembly’s Chief Security Officer, Mr Kabir Kushoro, confirmed the incident in a statement issued in Lagos on Wednesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Onafeko was suspended on the House floor by a two-thirds majority of members over alleged financial misappropriation.

NAN further reports that the National Industrial Court sitting in Lagos on Thursday sacked the acting Clerk, Babatunde Ottun, who was appointed by Speaker Mojisola Meranda.

The court subsequently ordered the reinstatement of Onafeko as the Clerk of the House.

The claimant in suit number NICN/LA/23/2025 sought an interim injunction restraining six defendants from appointing anyone, including Babatunde, as Clerk.

This order remains in effect pending the hearing of the motion on notice for an interlocutory injunction already filed in the case.

Granting the application, Justice M. N. Esowe issued an ex parte order preventing Babatunde from parading himself as Clerk.

“The parties shall maintain peace and status quo ante bellum until the motion on notice is heard and determined,” Esowe ordered in a ruling.

In his statement, Kushoro said Onafeko arrived with unknown men and blocked the Assembly staff gate with his car at approximately 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday.

He further alleged that Onafeko later attempted to break into the Clerk’s office.

“This act of defiance constitutes a clear disregard for legislative protocols and security regulations.

“The House leadership views this action as an affront to the institution’s integrity and will take all necessary steps to uphold discipline and order.

“Onafeko has a pending suit against the Assembly, the Acting Clerk, and the State Government. He should focus on the legal process instead of disrupting Assembly activities,” Kushoro said.

Kushoro confirmed that relevant authorities had been informed, and necessary measures were being taken to prevent further security breaches. (NAN)

Two Policemen shot dead in gun duel with suspected kidnappers

Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have killed two police officers during a foiled kidnapping operation around Little Rayfield community in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The spokesperson of the state police command, DSP Alabo Alfred, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Jos, stating that four suspects had been arrested in connection with the attempted abduction.
Residents of Little Rayfield told our correspondent that at about 9 pm on Tuesday, gunshots were heard in the area.

They added that the kidnappers had attempted to kidnap some individuals, but the act was foiled by the men of the state police command.

According to DSP Alfred, the slain police officers were on special duty in the state from Abuja.

Alfred said, “The Plateau State Police Command wishes to inform the general public of the arrest of four (4) suspected kidnappers in the recent foiled kidnapping incident that took place along Little Rayfield Road, Jos.

“However, two (2) of our officers namely; Fatoyo Femi and Inspr Dafur Dashit attached to Force Investigation Department, Abuja (IRT) who are on special duty in Jos lost their lives during the exchange of gunfire with the suspected kidnappers.

“Meanwhile, the case is under investigation. Further development will be communicated in due course. The Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, CP Emmanuel Olugbemiga Adesina, psc appeals for calm in the State as the situation is under control.”

Pandemonium erupts as Youth was shot during encounter with Army personnel

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom, on Wednesday, confirmed the death of a youth in a crisis that erupted in Ette, Ikot Abasi Local Government Area of the state.

DSP Timfon John, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), made the confirmation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Ikot Abasi.

She said that the crisis started on Tuesday night in Ette when an army man was pursuing a boy in the community and was descended on by a mob.

‘’In an attempt to escape the mob action, the army man fired and shot one of the villagers; both the army and the villager are receiving treatment in a hospital.

‘’The situation is under control and investigation has commenced to unravel the perpetrators of the crime,’’ John said.

A source, who refused to mention his name, told NAN that the crisis was as a result of the alleged killing of a local boy by an army man attached to an oil company in Ikot Abasi.

He said that there had been a protest by the youths in the area demanding that the military should focus on their duty to the company and not target the innocent citizens.

He said that the Tuesday crisis led to the burning of five trucks, a bus and a Hilux belonging to the company.

The source said that the crisis led to the blocking of East-West Road leading to Port Harcourt, forcing motorists to divert to other routes for safety. (NAN)