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Accidents: Lagos Mulls Designated Routes For Trucks, Articulated Vehicles
The Lagos State Government said it was contemplating implementing logistic routes for trucks and articulated vehicles as specified in the state’s Transport Master Plan.
The Commissioner for Transportation, Dr Frederic Oladeinde, made the disclosure at a Stakeholders’ meeting on Thursday at Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa Ikeja.
Oladeinde said that the decision was made following recurring truck accidents happening within the state, especially the most recent ones which resulted in the loss of lives and property.
He noted that in order to curb incessant truck accidents, the stakeholders were gathered periodically to chart robust strategies that would further checkmate unceasing truck accidents in the state.
The commissioner for transportation said that the safety and security of Lagosians remained paramount to the government.
He stressed that a combination of different policies, which included erecting truck barriers, compliance with minimum safety standards and restricting movement of articulated vehicles to designated routes, would curb the persistent accidents.
Explaining the proposed logistic routes for trucks and articulated vehicles, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr Abdulhafiz Toriola, noted that the government was considering implementing the use of designated routes.
Toriola said that the routes were one of the strategies to checkmate the operations and activities of trucks plying the state roads.
He said that government did not want to take unilateral decisions hence, it called for the stakeholders’ engagement to dialogue with relevant unions before taking necessary steps.
The permanent secretary also mentioned that the ministry was reviewing the Minimum Safety Standard Procedure for trucks and articulated vehicles being implemented by the Nigerian Ports Authority.
He said it might modify the SSP by including the Vehicle Inspection Service and Federal Road Safety Commission officials in the inspection process.
Toriola also expressed the government’s willingness to collaborate with relevant truck operators to ensure that drivers manning the steering of trucks were well-trained.
He added that only qualified drivers were allowed to drive the trucks/articulated vehicles within the state.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Mr Sola Giwa, said the meeting was germane because of lives that were being lost daily due to negligence by drivers and truck owners.
Giwa said as a responsive and proactive government, it would not condone unabated truck accidents resulting in the killing of innocent citizens.
He further stated that the collaboration of the government and truck unions would go a long way at ensuring the most desired sanity on our roads.
Giwa said that this could be achieved with the full support of the Police and the state’s law enforcement agencies.
“The Representative of Council of Maritime Transport Union and Association, Mr Adeyinka Aroyewun, called for genuineness and clarity of purpose by both parties to help in achieving the desired results.
Also, Chief Remi Ogungbemi of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners urged the government to checkmate the activities of area boys who had constituted themselves as threats to the lives of their members.
Present at the meeting were representatives from the Nigerian Ports Authority, Depot and Petroleum Product Marketers Association and Council Of Maritime Transport Unions and Associations.
Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria, Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners and Association of Maritime Truck Owners also attended the event, among others stakeholders.
All Stakeholders agreed to work with the state government to tackle the menace of trucks and articulated vehicle drivers in the state.
NAN
A new video has emerged showing two men reportedly kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State, pleading for assistance to secure their release.
One of the captives, former Biu Local Government Area Chairman Hassan Biu Miringa, revealed that their abductors are demanding a $300,000 ransom.
Miringa said he and another individual were taken in December 2025 and have remained in the custody of the militants.
In the video shared by Zagazola Makama, Miringa introduced himself, saying: “I am Hassan Biu Miringa, former Chairman of Biu Local Government from 2020 to 2022. Four years after my tenure, we were kidnapped by the soldiers of Khilafa about two weeks ago. Alhamdulillah, we are still alive, but we urgently need help to save our lives.”
He added that negotiations with the kidnappers had been underway, with some preliminary agreements reportedly reached.
“We have engaged them on four separate occasions and reached an understanding. We appeal to our leaders, especially Borno State Deputy Governor Alhaji Usman Umar Kadafur, the National Assembly representative for Biu, Kwaya, and Shani Hon. Betera Aliyu, as well as our community leaders, to temper justice with mercy and assist us. We are their children and have been working together,” Miringa said.
He confirmed the ransom demand, explaining that each captive is expected to pay $150,000, totaling $300,000 for their freedom, and pleaded for urgent intervention to reunite with their families.
The video highlights ongoing concerns over kidnappings and insecurity in southern Borno State, which have persisted despite government efforts to curb insurgent activity in the region.
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday visited Port Harcourt City Local Government as part of his “thank you” visit across Rivers State.
Upon his arrival, a group of women displayed a symbolic gesture of loyalty by spreading their wrappers on the ground for his motorcade.
The women and supporters of the Minister were in a jubilant mode as Wike drove on the wrappers.
Wike has been going around local governments in the state to appreciate them for their support while reeling out moves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In the course of his visits, the Minister had fired several salvos at political actors in the state, warning that their sudden support for President Bola Tinubu won’t secure them any ticket in 2027.
Wike also renewed rivalry with Governor Sim Fubara over the leadership control of the political space in the state.
The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially reaffirmed that the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, are ongoing and have not been suspended.
The Assembly said the process is still ongoing and is being conducted strictly in line with constitutional provisions.
This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Enemi George.
According to the statement, the impeachment process, which began on Thursday, January 8, 2026, remains on course in line with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The lawmakers disclosed that separate notices of allegations bordering on gross misconduct have been served on both the governor and his deputy in line with Section 188 of the Constitution.
“The notices of allegations of gross misconduct against the Governor and the Deputy Governor have been duly forwarded to them by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, and the House is awaiting their responses,” the statement said.
The Assembly maintained that it is constitutionally obligated to act in the interest of the rule of law and ensure that no public office holder acts outside legal boundaries.
Reacting to reports suggesting that the impeachment move had been halted, the House accused some individuals and media outlets of deliberately spreading misinformation to mislead the public and stir tension between the legislature and Rivers residents.
The lawmakers described such reports as false and insisted they would not succumb to intimidation, threats, or blackmail.
“We are aware of renewed attempts by certain persons and media platforms to misinform the public by claiming that the impeachment process has been discontinued. The public should disregard such falsehoods, as the process remains active,” the statement added.
The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles and constitutional responsibilities, stressing that it would not be distracted by what it termed “cheap propaganda.”
It also appreciated the people of Rivers State for their support and prayers amid the ongoing political developments and extended goodwill to Nigerians committed to the nation’s democratic journey.
JomogNews reports that during Thursday’s plenary session, presided over by the Speaker, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally read the notice of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara on the floor of the House.
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