society
Election: No membership card,No vote – Ladipo Traders
Election: No membership card,No vote – Ladipo Traders
By Ifeoma Ikem
The Aguiyi Ironsi International Market Traders Association in Ladipo, Mushin, Lagos, has debunked the allegations of harassment, intimidation, and threats to lives levelled against the executive members by an opposition group.
The opposition group has petitioned the Nigeria Police,claiming that they were beaten up by the executive of the market.
At a press conference on Thursday in his office in Ladipo Market, Chairman of the union,Mr. Chukwuma Onyebinamma ( aka Ikukuoma), denied the allegation that the union did not intimidated anyone.
Chukwuma explained that his only sin was to sanitize the market with some innovations brought into the market.
Onyebinamma, who was reacting to a newspaper publication,about a group of traders from the market who petitioned the Lagos State Government over alleged harassment, intimidation and threats to their lives by the market’s executive officers and the task force committee, explained that the group was trying to disrupt the peace in the market because of the oncoming election.
“The group reported me through a petition on July 25, 2024, addressed to the office of the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. They also reported me to the Commissioner of Police, Tactical Squad, in Surulere, Lagos, and the IGP’s Intelligence Response Team, Abuja that I was trying to disenfranchise people from voting, and intimidating them. What is my offence? It is just because I am collating a database of our members and giving them identity cards for proper identification. I don’t know when being security-conscious had become a crime.
“They are pained because the association has resolved that there will be a policy of ‘no identity card, no vote.’ It did not start today, but they are angry that, with proper identification of traders, the group will not be able to bring thugs and criminal elements into the market during election.
We have vowed that, if there is no identity card, no person will be allowed to vote. We have met many times and announced during meetings that people should pay their monthly dues of N200 which amounts to N2,400. It is from the monthly dues that we prepare the ID cards for members.
But the group that is taking us from one police department to another does not want peace in the market.
“Members of the group are doing some unhealthy things in the market. We are supposed to close by 6pm, but they will be in market till 8pm. All these we are trying to stop. Database and ID cards are part of the security measures that we must put in place in the international market.
“After showing the police three ID cards from two of my predecessors and my administration, the police commended my administration and said we should go back home and settle.
The board of trustees is trying to reconcile the two groups. Anyway, we have resolved that we must sanitize the market. We must get the database of every authentic member of the association. The election must be transparent. No ID card, no vote. I am running for a second tenure of three years because we have amended the constitution to fit into the entire markets structure in Lagos, where tenures are three years, because two years is too small to do anything. Even though I am running for re-election, I won’t tolerate rigging and misconduct. I must put things in the right order. If the people like me, let them vote for me; if they don’t, let them not. But for hoodlums to come in to vote, we won’t take it. That is why they are fighting me.”
The market leader declared that the accusations were false and he did not intimidate anyone. He said, on July 18, 2024, while in a general meeting, they got information that a group of people wanted to disrupt the meeting. So, the chief security officers and others prevented them for coming in.
“The group was armed with dangerous weapons, and my CSO was able to snatch a machete from one of them. We saw in a newspaper publication a man they claimed that my CSO inflicted with machete cuts, but the man whose photograph was used in the publication said it was a lie, that he was not inflicted with machete cuts and he did not know how they got his photograph.
The group went ahead to discourage traders from paying dues, including that of the government. For instance, the group was sending WhatsApp messages to people not to pay security dues, storage fee and that of the government, Motor Vehicle Administration Agency (MVA) dues. This is too bad. Just because we are putting things properly.”
In the petition by the opposition group signed by its lawyer, Liborous Oshoma, the traders claimed that they had been in the market for over a decade and had participated in the previous elections to select their market leaders.
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Police Day 2026: IGP Disu Leads Nationwide Walkathon To Strengthen Community Trust
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on Tuesday led the management team, alongside officers and personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, in a nationwide walkathon to commemorate the 2026 National Police Day.
The event, held across state capitals and the Federal Capital Territory, formed part of activities marking Day Two of the annual celebration, themed “Community Partnership: Building Trust.”
The symbolic exercise, which drew participation from both police personnel and members of the public, was aimed at showcasing unity, discipline, and a renewed commitment to community policing and public safety.
According to the Force leadership, the walkathon underscores the Nigeria Police Force’s resolve to strengthen public trust, deepen engagement with citizens, and enhance collaboration in tackling security challenges across the country.
Participants described the initiative as a practical step toward bridging the gap between law enforcement and the communities they serve, while also promoting physical fitness and mental well-being among officers and civilians alike.
With the theme reflecting a shared responsibility for safety, the Police reiterated that sustainable security can only be achieved through active partnership with the public.
The event concluded with a renewed call for collective action under the banner: “Together We Walk, Together We Secure,” emphasizing unity of purpose in building a safer and more secure society for all Nigerians.
society
Dr. Chris Okafor invokes divine retribution upon individuals blackmailing the Grace Nation church
Dr. Chris Okafor invokes divine retribution upon individuals blackmailing the Grace Nation church
… Affirming God’s omnipotence to unveil malicious schemes.
To be frank, the ability of Doris Ogala and her associates to withstand the arduous challenges set by Senior Pastor Dr. Chris Okafor of Grace Nation Global at the culmination of the Harvest of Babies 2026 conference, the church’s flagship event, continues to elude me.
It’s advisable not to offend a powerful spiritual leader like Prophet Chris Okafor to avoid potential consequences, as seen in the situation with Doris Ogala, who was rebuked by the prophet; can she rectify the situation through confession?
Insiders close to the man of God claim that despite relentless online bullying and blackmailing, the Generational Prophet remains resolute, stating that God’s power has been evident throughout the commission’s existence. The reason for this wonderful statement is found in the scriptures, “Upon this rock I shall build my Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail.” The more falsehoods are spread about the church and its leader, the more God elevates the church and propels him to greater heights, he asserted. He emphasized that blessings and fruitfulness are antidotes to curses, noting that God continues to bestow blessings upon the church, including miracles and the gift of children, which is one reason for the grand finale of the annual family liberation program, The Harvest of Babies.
However, the man of God issued a curse on each person speaking ill of the church, blackmailing, and uttering all sorts of falsehoods against the church, declaring that if they refused to repent within a few days, the earth would swallow them and their family members, stating that they would be of no use to themselves, their families, or society at large.
The spiritual leader cautions his followers to beware of such individuals including Doris Ogala who may taint their faith, and urges them to treat these persons as emissaries of the devil, avoiding them altogether.
Recall that the 2026 harvest of babies concluded with a remarkable birth of a miracle baby boy to a woman on the third day of the conference, accompanied by the dedication of several other miracle babies, all to the glory of God.
Christopher Sunday David writes from
Austria
“Together We Walk, Together We Secure”: Police Launch 2026 Walkathon In Abuja
The Nigeria Police Force has announced plans to host a walkathon in commemoration of the 2026 National Police Day, aimed at promoting unity, peace, and stronger community partnership.
The event is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, with participants expected to converge at the Force Headquarters Abuja by 6:00 a.m., where the walk will commence.
According to the organisers, the walkathon is designed to bring together members of the public, stakeholders, and security personnel in a show of solidarity and shared commitment to national security.
With the theme, “Together we walk, together we secure,” the initiative underscores the importance of collaboration between the police and citizens in maintaining peace and safety across the country.
Members of the public have been encouraged to participate in the exercise, which forms part of activities lined up to mark this year’s National Police Day celebration.
It is believed that the walkathon would not only foster closer ties between the police and the communities but also serve as a platform to promote awareness on collective responsibility in ensuring a safer society.
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