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CHAOS IN LAGOS: DSS INVASION SPARKS TENSION AT STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY

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CHAOS IN LAGOS: DSS INVASION SPARKS TENSION AT STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY

 

In a dramatic turn of events on Monday, the Lagos State House of Assembly descended into chaos as operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) stormed the premises. The invasion, reportedly authorized by the Assembly Clerk, led to heated confrontations, tears, and widespread condemnation from lawmakers.

 

The crisis unfolded when lawmakers, led by Speaker Mojisola Meranda, forcefully gained entry into the hallowed chamber to declare their support for her leadership. This development came amid rising tensions over attempts by ousted Speaker Mudashiru Obasa to reclaim his position.

CHAOS IN LAGOS: DSS INVASION SPARKS TENSION AT STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY

DSS INVOLVEMENT AND CLERK’S LETTER The Assembly Clerk, A. T. B. Ottun, had written to the DSS on February 14, 2025, requesting enhanced security at the Assembly complex due to concerns over Obasa’s potential return. The letter, titled “URGENT: ENHANCED SECURITY MEASURES FOR LSHA PREMISES,” cited a “potential security threat to the Assembly and its members” and called for strict access control.

 

However, confusion erupted when DSS operatives sealed off key offices, including those of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, and the Acting Clerk, and restricted access to the legislative chamber. Assembly workers and lawmakers, shocked by the heavy presence of armed operatives clad in black jackets, helmets, and face masks, resisted the move, leading to tense confrontations.

 

MELEE IN THE CHAMBER The scheduled plenary, initially set for 11:00 a.m., was delayed until 12:51 p.m. Speaker Meranda, surrounded by security and assembly staff, was seen in tears as about 36 lawmakers and assembly workers rallied around her in solidarity. Despite the delays and heightened tensions, Meranda eventually presided over the seventh plenary since Obasa’s ousting.

 

LAWMAKERS SPEAK OUT During the plenary, multiple lawmakers condemned the DSS’s actions. Kehinde Joseph (Alimosho 1), who raised a motion under Personal Explanation, called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and hold those responsible accountable.

Stephen Ogundipe (Oshodi/Isolo 1) described the incident as a “rape of democracy,” while Sabur Oluwa (Ajeromi-Ifelodun 2) decried the DSS conduct as “unnecessary and unprofessional.” Oluwa added, “We were elected to represent the people. If we choose to elect a new leader, that is democracy. This does not justify harassment or assault on our legislative process.”

Other lawmakers, including Gbolahan Ogunleye (Ikorodu 1) and Femi Saheed (Kosofe 2), also expressed outrage, demanding thorough investigations and swift justice. Ogunleye said, “I never imagined a day when armed men would storm the Lagos Assembly. This is a blatant violation of democratic principles.”

 

ASSEMBLY CLARIFIES INVITATION TO DSS In a statement issued by Assembly spokesperson Kayode Ogundipe late Monday, the Assembly clarified its stance on the DSS presence.

 

“Earlier today, lawmakers and staff arrived to find key offices locked and the chamber sealed. While the Assembly did request security support from the DSS, at no point did we instruct them to invade the legislative chamber or lock offices,” the statement read. “The sanctity of the Lagos State House of Assembly was undermined today by actions that obstructed lawmakers from performing their constitutional duties.”

 

OBASA’S COURT ACTION AND POTENTIAL RETURN The crisis stemmed from Obasa’s removal by a majority of lawmakers on January 13, 2025, while he was on holiday in Atlanta, USA. He recently approached a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, challenging his ousting and seeking an accelerated hearing. Rumors of his possible return to the Assembly on February 18, 2025, fueled Monday’s security measures.

 

GOVERNANCE ADVISORY COUNCIL INTERVENES In response to the ongoing crisis, the Governance Advisory Council, the highest decision-making body of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos State, announced plans to meet with President Tinubu to address the situation.

 

CALLS FOR JUSTICE The lawmakers ended Monday’s session with a unanimous vote of confidence in Speaker Meranda’s leadership. Despite the indefinite adjournment of plenary, tensions remain high as the Assembly and Lagos residents await further developments.

With democracy and legislative integrity at stake, all eyes are now on President Tinubu and the DSS leadership to provide clarity and ensure justice is served in this unfolding political drama.

 

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Lagos Assembly Charges Security Agencies To Redouble Efforts In Combating Extortion By Miscreants

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Lagos Assembly Charges Security Agencies To Redouble Efforts In Combating Extortion By Miscreants

Lagos Assembly Charges Security Agencies To Redouble Efforts In Combating Extortion By Miscreants

 

Acknowledging that the scourge of brazen extortion by miscreants on Lagos streets was on the increase, the Lagos State House of Assembly has called on the Commissioner of Police, CP Olohunda Moshood Jimoh, and heads of other security agencies to intensify intelligence gathering with the latest security apparatuses, increase surveillance on black spots across the metropolis, and, where necessary, arrest such miscreants, and have the state rehabilitate them.

Lagos Assembly Charges Security Agencies To Redouble Efforts In Combating Extortion By Miscreants

Hon. Sanni Okanlawon (representing Kosofe Constituency 1) raised the alarm at plenary Tuesday, May 6, under ‘Matter of Urgent Public Importance’ stating; “The unlawful extortion of stranded and innocent motorists by miscreants remains a growing concern that demands urgent attention. Nobody on the streets of Lagos is immune to their activities. If left unchecked, they could render the state unsafe.” He painted different unsavoury scenarios of how the street urchins operate brazenly, which he described as unacceptable, and called for urgent intervention to protect road users.

Supporting the motion, Hon. Kehinde Joseph (Alimosho Constituency II) noted that this particular trend threatens the safety and sanity of road transportation in the state. Hon. Desmond Elliot (Surulere Constituency 1) corroborated this and emphasised the need for active surveillance by security agencies. He also suggested the involvement of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), noting that many of the offenders act under the influence of illegal substances.

Similarly, Hon. Aro Moshood (Ikorodu Constituency II) urged the Commissioner of Police to set up a tactical team dedicated mainly to road monitoring because “It is high time the government took the bull by the horns.” Commending Hon. Okanlawon for moving the motion, Hon. Adebola Shabi (Lagos Mainland Constituency 2) said local government chairmen have a huge role in combating this menace. Effective strategies, she added, have to be devised while recommending the installation of CCTV cameras at identified black spots.

However, Hon. Obafemi Saheed (Kosofe Constituency 2) disclosed that the government has invested heavily in security through the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, LSSTF, and, therefore, should not sit back and watch miscreants take over the city.

Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. (Dr.) Mudashiru Obasa commended Hon. Okanlawon and the lawmakers who contributed robustly to the debate. He said that the police and other security agencies, including the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC), must collaborate to ensure that Lagos remains safe for residents, commuters, and visitors alike.

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Lagos Assembly Summons Lands Bureau over Allocations, Recurring Land-Related Issues

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Lagos Assembly Summons Lands Bureau over Allocations, Recurring Land-Related Issues

Lagos Assembly Summons Lands Bureau over Allocations, Recurring Land-Related Issues

The Lagos State House of Assembly has summoned the state Lands Bureau to appear before it to provide clarity on previous allocations and recurring land-related issues. It also approved land compensation for communities where the state government acquired lands for public use.

At plenary last Thursday, the House adopted the recommendations of the Committee on Rules and Business on a petition titled “Application by Oriba Community in Epe Local Government to join in the petition of Ladaba Community” presented by Hon. Noheem Adams.

Lagos Assembly Summons Lands Bureau over Allocations, Recurring Land-Related Issues

Following the presentation of the report, the House unanimously adopted the recommendations as its resolution by asking the bureau to appear before it with proper documents to explain the status of lands acquired by the state. The committee also recommended that the bureau issue excision/allocation letters to the 68 affected communities, while their Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) should be ready within one month of the House’s resolution.

Members who lent their voices to the matter commended the committee for ensuring they got justice for the affected communities and suggested that their compensation should be increased from 20% to 25%.

In his summation, Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon.. (Dr.) Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa acknowledged the need for increased compensation but noted that the state government has its plans. Particularly, he endorsed the allocation of 20% (2,000 hectares) of the 10,000 hectares acquired by the state government as compensation.

Speaker Obasa further recommended that the committee should collaborate with the Lands Bureau, Office of the State Surveyor General, and New Towns Development Authority for the effective implementation of the recommendations.

The Lagos State Lands Bureau is responsible for land administration and management. It oversees key activities such as land allocation, issuance of Certificates of Occupancy (C of O), land registration, and the management of state-owned lands.

Its primary goals include ensuring equitable and transparent land transactions, facilitating urban planning, and supporting economic development by maintaining an organized system of land ownership. The bureau also handles disputes related to land and implements policies to optimize land use while protecting public interests.

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Oluremi Tinubu and Aisha Achimugu: A Bond Forged in Compassion, by Olabode Opeseitan

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Oluremi Tinubu and Aisha Achimugu: A Bond Forged in Compassion, by Olabode Opeseitan

 

 

Two women with two distinct destinies. One, Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria’s First Lady, is a political luminary and steadfast advocate for the marginalized. The other is Aisha Achimugu, a trailblazing entrepreneur who conquered the male-dominated oil and gas sector, yet wears her heart on her sleeve for humanity.

 

 

Oluremi Tinubu and Aisha Achimugu: A Bond Forged in Compassion, by Olabode Opeseitan 

 

Though their paths differ, their souls converge in two profound ways: an unyielding passion for women’s empowerment and a lifelong covenant with charity.

 

 

For Oluremi, empowering women and uplifting the vulnerable is not merely a mission—it’s her oxygen. From founding the New Era Foundation as Lagos’ First Lady to launching her Renewed Hope Initiative as Nigeria’s First Lady—a platform championing youth and girl-child education and spearheading transformative projects like the Community ICT Hub—she has turned biblical compassion into action. Her unalloyed commitment to charitable virtues shone brightly during the commissioning of the hub in Ibadan, a Federal Government collaboration under her RHI that bridges the digital divide for thousands, revealing a heart that beats for the forgotten.

 

 

 

In Aisha Achimugu, Oluremi unknowingly finds a kindred spirit. Aisha’s SAM Empowerment Foundation has illuminated the futures of countless Nigerian girls through scholarships, mentorship, and vocational training, transforming aspirations into tangible opportunities. Her compassion radiates beyond borders, driven by a pan-African vision to uplift communities wherever the need arises. Whether empowering women in Nigeria’s underserved regions or advocating for sustainable livelihoods across the continent, Aisha’s mantra—“When God has blessed you, be a blessing to others”— resounds in every act of service. From rebuilding lives shattered by poverty to fostering dignity through education, her golden heart has become a beacon of hope for Africa’s most vulnerable.

 

 

 

Yet, their journeys have not been without storms. Both women have endured savage media trials—unfairly judged, their reputations scrutinized. Society often forgets: behind the headlines are mothers, leaders, and humanitarians whose “crimes” are loving too fiercely and giving too generously. They are imperfect, as all humans are, but in their relentless generosity, they mirror the very best of what humanity can be.

 

 

 

To Oluremi and Aisha: Your resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to your unbreakable spirits. When cynics question your motives, remember the girls now coding in Ibadan’s ICT Hub, the mothers reclaiming their futures through vocational training, and the orphans who see you as their lifeline. Do not relent. For every life you touch—whether through education, healthcare, or the quiet restoration of dignity—a ripple of hope spreads. Your legacies are not etched in headlines but in healed hearts and transformed destinies.

 

 

We see you. We celebrate you. And we beg you: keep shining.

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