Indonesia has inaugurated its first high-speed railway, a $7.3bn (£5.9) project backed by China under its Belt and Road Initiative.

President Joko Widodo launched the service, which connects the capital Jakarta to Bandung, a top economic hub.

The railway is named Whoosh, a Bahasa Indonesia acronym that translates to time-saving and reliable.

Mr Widodo has prioritised projects like Whoosh to ease the country’s severe traffic jams.

The railway was originally scheduled to open in 2019 but was delayed due to land disputes, the Covid-19 pandemic and a $1.2bn (£984m) budget overrun.

Monday’s inauguration was pushed back from Sunday to accommodate Mr Jokowi’s schedule.

Whoosh is operated by PT KCIC, a joint-venture made up of four Indonesian state companies and Beijing’s China Railway International.Its name is short for “Waktu Hemat, Operasi Optimal, Sistem Handal”, or “Timesaving, Optimal Operation, Reliable System” in the local language.

It can reach speeds of up to 350km/h (217mph) with the journey spanning 142km.Indonesian officials say the high-speed railway is expected to improve economic productivity.

They also tout the fact that the trains are powered by electricity, which will help reduce the country’s carbon emissions.

Bandung, the capital of West Java province, is touted as Indonesia’s answer to Silicon Valley.There are talks to extend Whoosh to Surabaya, a major port city and capital of East Java province.

Some critics say the sheer cost of the project may weigh on Indonesia’s public finances, which are already strained by the pandemic.

Mr Jokowi agreed to use state funds to help the project overcome delays.

The project is part of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s 10-year-old Belt and Road initiative, an ambitious plan to connect Asia with Africa and Europe through a series of land and sea networks via investments in local infrastructure.

Indonesia, South East Asia’s largest economy, has been actively seeking investments from China, its largest trade partner.

Nine people are reported to have been killed and some 20 others trapped after a church roof collapsed in Mexico.

Local media said 49 people were taken to hospital, after the collapse at Santa Cruz church in Ciudad Madero.

Police in the coastal state of Tamaulipas said around 100 people were at a mass at the time. Local media reported it was a baptism.

A number of children are believed to be amongst those trapped and rescue efforts are ongoing.

Images on social media showed the church building in ruins as people crowded around the rubble, desperately searching for those who were trapped inside.

Local journalist Franc Contreras told the BBC World Service’s Newsday programme that the collapse happened at a key moment in the church service.

“The church was packed with about a hundred people, and people were lined up to take the communion – of course that’s sort of the climax of the Catholic mass – and that’s when the roof came down on top of them; bricks, concrete, and of course steel support structures coming down on top of the people,” he said.

He added that according to Red Cross officials the roof came down on pews in the church, allowing the possibility that anyone trapped there could survive in air pockets.

People were said to be arriving with shovels and pickaxes to try to move the debris.Later posts showed the emergency services were at the scene, following the collapse on Sunday afternoon.

Calls were made on social media for medical and rescue materials to help those searching for survivors.

Authorities were said to be requesting silence from those gathered at the scene so that they could hear if anyone trapped inside was calling for help.

The bishop of the diocese of Tampico, José Armando Álvarez Cano, sent a message to the community on social media saying that work was under way “to find those under the rubble”.

He said it was a “difficult time” and ended his video address by saying: “May the Lord help you.”

A huge fire at a police complex in Egypt has injured at least 38 people, according to emergency services and local media.

Firefighters managed to contain the blaze at the facility in Ismailia, and local hospitals have been placed on alert.

Videos posted on social media show the building – which is staffed by soldiers 24 hours a day – covered in flames.

The cause of the fire is unknown, and the government has not commented.

Civil defence sources said that the fire caused parts of the headquarters of the Directorate of Security to collapse.

Egypt’s health ministry has sent 50 ambulances and two military aircraft to the building, with at least 24 people being treated for asphyxiation along with two for burns.

There are fears that the number of people injured could be higher with one Egyptian journalist reporting that because of the size of the fire, there could be deaths.

Two witnesses who spoke to the Reuters news agency said that firefighters initially struggled to get the fire under control, but local media says that after more than three hours they did manage to contain it.

Deadly fires are not uncommon in Egypt due to fire codes rarely being enforced and slow emergency response times.

In August last year, a fire caused by a short circuit killed 41 people in a church in Cairo.

Peter Obi, the 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party, has urged Nigerians not to despair but remain hopeful that a better Nigeria was still possible.

Mr Obi, a former governor of Anambra, made this comment in his goodwill message to celebrate Nigeria’s 63rd Independence anniversary in Lagos on Sunday.

Mr Obi lamented the grave uncertainties and apparent hardship the citizens of Nigeria were experiencing due to persistent leadership failure after 63 years of their nationhood.

He added that the situation might be critical, but certainly not hopeless.The presidential standard bearer noted that, in an analogy between a nation’s life and the parameters of modern technology, if the input is garbage in, then the output would be garbage out.

“When you Google a subject, the response you get will be based on the questions you input. Every nation invariably determines its own fate and destiny and gets the leadership it deserves.

“Nigeria cannot be an exception. If we subscribe to rogue leadership, then we must face the attendant consequences.“At 63 years, what type of questions are Nigerians asking of their leaders, and what type of answer are we expecting?

“Present realities notwithstanding, I am hopeful that a new Nigeria is possible, but the burden of responsibility is on Nigerians,” Mr Obi added.

Mr Obi said that every October 1, since 1960, people have tried to review their life as a nation but on looking back, could they say that “where we are is where we are supposed to be despite our vast human and natural resources?”

The presidential candidate wished Nigerians a happy independence anniversary, praying for God’s continued mercy and grace on the nation.

The Benue government says it has procured 100 buses to be handed over to the Benue Links, the state-owned transport company to cushion the effects of the subsidy removal on petrol.

Gov. Hyacinth Alia stated this in a radio and television broadcast as part of activities to mark Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Anniversary in Makurdi.Mr Alia said he was aware of the sufferings of the people following the removal of fuel subsidy and other harsh economic realities in the country.

“Our good people of Benue, I share the pains most of you are going through; and I assure you that your resilience and patience would not be in vain as this administration continues to reposition, as well as strengthen our institutions for good governance. I want to assure you that succour is on the way.

“In the meantime, we have purchased 100 buses to be handed over soon to Benue Links, the state-owned transport company, to provide affordable transportation to the public.

“In addition, plans are underway to distribute N50,000 each, to market women across the state, to enhance their petty trade businesses.“Our lofty visions, policies and strategies for good governance cannot be achieved in a society bereft of security of lives and property,” he said.

Mr Alia added: “No society thrives in the face of wanton killings, kidnapping, banditry, communal conflicts, and so forth.

“The independent anniversary is a moment for us to salute our heroes past. It took valour, sacrifice and cohesive nationalistic onslaught for them to actualise our country’s political freedom.

“Is is important to thank the Almighty God for preserving us amidst several storms, some of which at some point within the last 63 years, threatened our very own existence as a country.

“While we reflect in retrospect, it is equally pertinent for us to examine where we are, and look to the brighter future that lies ahead of us, especially in a State like ours that possesses all the potential of peaking us in the comity of states.”

The Kogi police command, on Sunday, launched investigation into alleged reports of political clashes and violence in Kogi as the governorship election draws closer.

The police action was sequel to a report of alleged attack on the SDP campaign train at Koton-Karfe where some persons were said to have been injured in the process through political violence.

The Kogi commissioner of police, Onuoha Bethrand, in a statement issued in Lokoja by the command’s spokesman, SP Williams Ovye-Aya, said that the police would not tolerate any act of lawlessness in the state.

The worried commissioner directed the deputy commissioner of police, criminal investigation department (SCID) to commence a thorough, diligent and holistic investigation of all acts of political violence, accusations and counter-accusations on all the political parties and actors with a view to bringing all offenders to book.

Mr Bethrand condemned some politicians whose stock-in-trade is violence and who have taken it upon themselves to cause mayhem and heat up the state through their unguarded utterances and unregulated activities.

“I hereby sternly warn all the Political Parties in the state and their supporters to play by the Rules and stop heating up the state or face severe sanctions.

“You should all desist from all forms of violence as anyone caught disrupting the prevailing peaceful environment in the state will be made to face the full wrath of the Law.

“Moreso that the Governorship election is fast approaching, we are appealing to all political actors to give peace a chance by conducting themselves in peaceful manner and shunning all acts capable of truncating the peace, tranquility and unity of Kogi.

“Therefore, for the last time, I wish to warn would-be trouble-makers to have a change of heart and desist from acts of intolerance as the Police are ever determined to deal decisively with anyone who will not give peace a chance in the state,” he warned.

The police boss also assured of the command’s unwavering commitment to the protection of all lives and property in the state before, during and after the Nov. 11 governorship election.

He, however, attributed some of the crises or violence to the failure of most of the political actors to honour invitations and partake in a series of stakeholder parleys/interactions, where issues bordering on security and the need to conduct political activities as enshrined in the Electoral Act are discussed.

“Again, not all the Chairmen and Candidates of the other Political Parties honour Police Invitations to discuss petitions and/or allegations with the Police, and other salient issues germane to peaceful campaigns, and that of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.

“For the record, several invitations extended to the SDP and ADC Candidates for interaction and consultation with the Police to shed light, provide explanations and give their own side of the story on Petitions written against them, but to no avail.

“While these other parties have been carrying the police along in their activities, the SDP candidate has consistently and vehemently refused to honour any of police invitations for investigation, or inform the me nor the command while embarking on political rallies to enable the police to provide adequate security coverage.

“His (SDP Candidate’s) refusal to deal with the police is undermining peace in the State, has been impeding efforts to streamline and regulate political activities.

“It has in turn, greatly contributed to the pockets of political violence being witnessed in the State presently. His riding roughshod and engaging in political brinkmanship and brigandage is an ill wind that blows no one any good,” he noted.

The police commissioner, however, expressed his sympathy to victims of last Friday’s Koton Karfe political violence that left some people wounded.

President Bola Tinubu has approved a provisional wage increment for workers in the country as part of efforts to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal.

Mr Tinubu made this known while addressing Nigerians on the 63rd Independence Anniversary of the country in Abuja on Sunday.

The president said the average low-grade worker would receive an additional N25,000 per month for the next six months.

“Based on our talks with labour, business and other stakeholders, we are introducing a provisional wage increment to enhance the federal minimum wage without causing undue inflation.

“For the next six months, the average low-grade worker shall receive an additional Twenty-Five Thousand naira per month,” he said.

The president said that the present administration was committed to relieving the hardship faced by Nigerians, adding that various measures had been taken by all tiers of government to mitigate them.

“There is no joy in seeing the people of this nation shoulder burdens that should have been shed years ago. I wish today’s difficulties did not exist. But we must endure if we are to reach the good side of our future.

“We have embarked on several public sector reforms to stabilize the economy, direct fiscal and monetary policy to fight inflation, encourage production, ensure the security of lives and property and lend more support to the poor and the vulnerable.

“To ensure better grassroots development, we set up an Infrastructure Support Fund for states to invest in critical areas. States have already received funds to provide relief packages against the impact of rising food and other prices,” Mr Tinubu said.

He said that other efforts were being taken by the government to touch all aspects that would impact directly on the lives of Nigerians to ease the pains of the new economic reforms.

The president said that on the issue of transportation, cheaper and safer Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses would be deployed across the country.

“These buses will operate at a fraction of current fuel prices, positively affecting transport fares. New CNG conversions kits will start coming in very soon as all hands are on deck to fast track the usually lengthy procurement process.

“We are also setting up training facilities and workshops across the nation to train and provide new opportunities for transport operators and entrepreneurs.

“This is a groundbreaking moment where, as a nation, we embrace more efficient means to power our economy. In making this change, we also make history,” the president added.

Aformer House of Representatives member, Robinson Uwak, has urged the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to engage in confidence building measures to restore the country’s depleting foreign reserves.

Mr Uwak, who represented Oron, Mbo, Okobo, Ure-Offong/Oruko and Udung-Uko Federal Constituency of Akwa Ibom at the 7th Assembly, gave the advice on Saturday in a statement made available in Abuja.

The ex-lawmaker said engaging in import substitution and currency control would help firm up the value of the naira in the short to medium term, while a more expansive, long term economic plan should be devised.

“The dollarisation of domestic spending and huge wastes in governance must be curbed, and we must build a national consensus on the way forward for our future economic system,” he said.

Mr Uwak called on the CBN and all relevant institutions to halt the current slide of the naira.

In recent days, the naira has traded at N1,000 against the dollar in some quarters, fueling inflation in consumer goods that are traded on foreign currencies as the country is basically an import-oriented economy underwritten by the mono product of oil.

The former legislator, therefore, said it was time to stop the currency slide.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, on Saturday re-opened the Alayabiagba Market in Boundary, Ajegunle, after adherence to all prescribed sanitation measures by the state.

This is contained in a statement signed by Folashade Kadiri, Director, Public Affairs, of the Lagos Waste Management Authority (LAWMA) and made available to journalists in Lagos.

Speaking at Ajegunle, Mrs Kadiri quoted Mr Wahab as saying the government decided to re-open the market after it certified that all checklists given to the officials of the market had been fully addressed.

Mr Wahab said the checklist included placement of Double Dino Bin within the market as well as the erection of a fence at the entrance of the market.

According to him, the government will further ensure sustainability of all sanitation laws guiding the establishment of market spaces.

He urged traders in the market to respect the environment and ensure proper waste disposal at all times.

“We must stop littering our market with wastes, segregate and bag our wastes and always patronise PSP operators, stopping illegal dumpsites on road medians, kerbs, open spaces, and road setbacks and start policing our environment,” Mr Wahab said.

Mr Wahab was accompanied by the Permanent Secretary Drainage Services, Lekan Shodeinde and the Permanent Secretary Environmental Services, Gaji Omobolaji.

Earlier in the day, the commissioner, his team and executives of Lekki Residents Association inspected some of the drainage channels and black spots in the area for indiscriminate refuse dumping.

The team discovered contravention in terms of construction on drainage alignments as well as sealing up of setbacks for drains with concrete by the property owners.

Mr Wahab said that the ultimate goal of clearing and dredging all drainage channels and canals was to allow easy passage of rainstorm water.

“This explains why government has made continuous dredging of major drainage channels and canals spread across the state a priority,” Mr Wahab said.

He said that directives had been given for contravention notices to be served on the affected commercial property owners on Admiralty Way for contravening the state environmental laws.

He stressed that the poor state of the drainage system management by commercial buildings had seriously affected the road networks in Lekki axis in spite of the continuous rehabilitation of the roads by the state government.

He emphasised that government has zero tolerance to environmental abuse, especially drainage blockage using a classic example of the Durosimi Etti channel which is littered with waste and parked shuttle buses, asking that the space should be beautified.

He also dislodged an illegal mechanic workshop on a setback at Admiralty Way opposite Parktonian Hotels, adding that if they attempted to return, all the vehicles would be towed away.

The statement quoted the Special Adviser on Environment, Olakunle Rotimi-Akodu, as appealing to the people to desist from dumping refuse into the drains.

Mr Rotimi-Akiodu added that clogging of drains had been compounded by activities of residents who had turned major drainage channels into refuse dumps including tertiary drains across the state.

He also reiterated the warning issued to all property owners who had built on setbacks of drainage channels or drainage alignments to remove such structures as they constitute major impediments to free flow of water into the various drainage channels.

The statement also quoted the Managing Director of LAWMA, Muyiwa Gbedegesin, as saying that the authority would ensure a cleaner Lagos at all times.

The locations visited included Durosimi-Etti, Kayode Animashawun/Olubunmi Owa amongst others, all on Admiralty Road.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has restated the commitment of the Nigerian Armed Forces to end security challenges in the country.

Mr Musa stated this during a condolence visit to the Emir of Zazau, Ahmed ed Bamalli, on Friday evening in Zaria, Kaduna State.

He assured that the security challenges facing the country would soon be a thing of the past and sought prayers for the military to succeed.

Mr Musa, accompanied by some top military officers, commiserated over the deaths of eight worshippers who died in a mosque collapse.

The CDS conveyed the condolences of the Armed Forces and prayed for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives in the tragic incident.

He said, “I am in Kaduna for the passing-out parade at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, but felt I should take time out to pay you this condolence visit.

“As a father to me and the entire north, I count on your support and prayers so that we succeed in our various operations.

“I was here several times; I was in Zaria as the Commandant, Nigerian Army, Depot, and now as a Chief of Defence Staff, to God be the glory”.

On August 11, eight worshipers died and 25 others sustained injuries sequel to the collapse of a section of the 150-year-old Zaria Central Mosque during a congregational prayer session.

Responding, Mr Bamalli expressed gratitude for the visit and commended President Bola Tinubu for finding Gen. Musa worthy of the appointment.

Mr Bamalli noted that though the appointment was strictly based on merit, Mr President, however, deserves applause from the entire people of Kaduna State for choosing a competent military officer from the state to serve in such capacity.

He expressed hope that security challenges in parts of the country would be addressed under the present administration.

The traditional ruler said that the council and the people of the state would continue to pray for the CDS and the federal government to succeed.

The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has restored bulk power supply to Birinin Kebbi and its environs.Ndidi Mbah, the General Manager of Public Affairs, TCN, said this in a statement in Birnin Kebbi.

“Power supply was restored today Sept. 29, at around 9:20 a.m. Our team worked round the clock to restore supply to the 150MVA and 60MVA transformers, which were fortunately unaffected by the fire incident.

“Recall the commitment our MD/CEO, Engr. Sule Abdulazeez, pledged to ensure the restoration of bulk power supply within two weeks of the occurrence of the unfortunate incident,” he said.

Mr Mbah said that although bulk power supply was restored to Sokoto through the Kaduna-Zaria-Funtua-Gusau-Talatan Mafara 132KV line on September 15, the TCN engineers worked assiduously to extend the restoration to Kebbi state and environs.

“Our team of engineers is also working tirelessly to extend the exercise to our 132KV Birinin Kebbi-Sokoto line in order to carry additional load.

“New cables were brought in and connected to the existing transformers, and reinforcement teams from other TCN regions were sent to help the ones on ground to expedite the reconnection work.

“It is with a great sense of responsibility that we once again express our deepest appreciation to electricity customers in Kebbi State and environs for their understanding and patience in the face of the current unpleasant experience,” he said.

Mr Mbah also appreciated all stakeholders for their understanding, sympathy, support, and prayers throughout the challenging period.

He added that notwithstanding, TCN remained committed to pursuing its network expansion projects relentlessly to meet increased demands by the distribution companies.

Kebbi and its environs had been in total darkness for two weeks following a fire outbreak that engulfed two transformers at the TCN substation in Birnin Kebbi on September 14.

President Bola Tinubu is committed to exploring local vaccine and medicine production to enhance the health sector’s self-sufficiency, the Special Adviser to the President on Health, Dr. Salma Anas said.

Dr Anas, however, noted that there is a need for increased public-private partnerships in the health sector.She spoke at the 2023 Healthcare Leadership Conference organised by the Healthcare Federation of Nigeria in Lagos, with the theme “Igniting Change: Mobilising Healthcare in West Africa for a Sustainable Future.”

In a press statement made available to our correspondent on Friday, Anas stated that though the progress in the healthcare industry is commendable, there is still ample room for enhancement.

She further emphasised President Bola Tinubu’s endorsement of domestic solutions and the adoption of best practices that can promote a collaborative partnership between the government and the private sector.

“The President is committed to exploring local vaccine and medicine production to enhance the health sector’s self-sufficiency,” she disclosed.

In her remarks, the President of the HFN, Dr. Pamela Ajayi, explained that integrating the public and private sectors in healthcare is essential to achieving Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria.

The Anambra State team of Chiamaka Nwankwo, Lucy Nwankwo, Oluebube Ezechukwu and Adaeze Eze, won the 4×100 female relay final on Friday, at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, Delta State.

The quartet finished the race in 47.80 seconds to win the only available gold in the event.

In the 200 metre final, Lucy dropped a place to win the silver in 24.88 seconds while Ezechukwu finished third after ending the race in 2511 seconds to win the bronze.

With these victories, Anambra now has a total of 14 medals, including six golds, five silvers and three bronzes.

Before the closing ceremony, the state will compete in the 100m final scheduled for Saturday.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, has unveiled the newly remodelled 71 Supply and Transport training wing at Ribadu Cantonment, Kaduna, Kaduna State.

The army made this known on its Facebook page on Friday, while sharing photos from the event.

The training wing, which consists of a lecture hall, drivers’ training class, offices, catering demonstration hall refectory and students’ lavatories was reconstructed and remodeled for the enhancement of training of students of the school.

The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, on Friday inspected the ongoing Quick-Fix Project in the Warri Refinery, Delta State.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited made this known on its X (Twitter) page on Friday.

Photos from the inspection were captioned, “The Minister of State, Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, has just arrived in Warri Refinery for the 13th Refineries’ Rehabilitation Steering Committee Meeting.

“Accompanied by the Group CEO, NNPC Limited, Mr. #MKKyari, the Minister will also inspect work progress on the ongoing Quick-Fix Project in the Refinery.”

A 14-year-old schoolgirl and a coach driver were killed in a bus crash in Merseyside, North-West England, on Friday morning.

Daily Mail reports that the school bus was carrying 54 pupils from West Kirby grammar school and Calday Grange grammar school in Merseyside when the bus crashed with a car and flipped onto its side.

Witnesses also claimed that the children were escaping out of the back window after the crash.

The children were taken to an emergency centre where they were medically assessed, 39 have been discharged but the remainder have been taken to hospital for further treatment.

The police further disclosed in a press conference that two of the children were seriously injured and were taken immediately from the scene to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital.

The area manager of Merseyside Fire and Rescue service, Mark Thomas, also mentioned that firefighters worked with emergency services colleagues at scene to stabilise the vehicle and assisted casualties exiting the bus.

Following a suicidal bomb blast at a religious procession in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, officials said the death toll has rose to at least 25.

“At least 25 people were killed and more than 80 injured — including 20 critically injured people,” Zubair Jamali, home minister of Balochistan, told AFP.

Earlier, six people were reported to have lost their lives while more than 30 were wounded on Friday, in a blast near a mosque in Pakistan’s Balochistan province, local media reported.

The Assistant Commissioner of Mastung district said the explosion happened as people gathered for a procession marking the birthday of Prophet Mohammed.

The country’s interior ministry confirmed a blast carried out by “terrorist elements”.

“The attack on innocent people who came to participate in the procession of Eid Milad-ul-Nabi is a very heinous act,” it said in a statement.

Balochistan’s Minister for Information Jan Achakzai posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that the number of dead was rising.

While the celebration of the prophet’s birthday is accepted by the majority of Islamic sects, certain denominations view it as an unwarranted innovation.

The Minority Leader of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Lukman Adeleye, fulfilled his promise to the people of Ikoto community in Odogbolu Local Government Area by donating a 500 KVA transformer.

The donation was made to address the issue of persistent darkness in the community. Adeleye emphasised his commitment to serving the people and keeping his promises.

He mentioned, on Thursday, that during his election campaign, he pledged to restore electricity to the community if elected. Despite the challenges in his constituency, he fulfilled this promise by investing over 8 million naira in the project.

“This is in line with my policy of ‘promise made, promise kept’. I am always sad each time I visit the community because of the total darkness, which usually pervades the area.

“It has always been on my mind and I am happy today as I mark my 100 days in office, which coincidentally falls with the birth of Prophet Mohammed (SAW) that I am putting back the community on the national electricity grid,” Adeleye noted.

The community head of Ikoto, Chief Olugbenga Adebanjo, and residents expressed their gratitude to the legislator for his efforts in bringing electricity back to the area. This initiative aligns with Adeleye’s policy of “promise made, promise kept,” and it coincided with his 100 days in office.

In addition to the transformer donation, Hon. Adeleye has been active in sponsoring resolutions and empowering young people with cash gifts to support their small-scale businesses.

The police on Thursday said they have arrested alleged gang leader Balogun Olamilekan Eletu, Sammy Larry, as widely known, in connection to the ongoing investigation into the controversial death of Afrobeats musician Promise Aloba, whose stage name was Mohbad.

“Balogun Olamilekan Eletu, aka Sam Larry, is now in our custody. He is currently assisting with an ongoing investigation,” the police said in an update on Thursday.

Sam Larry was named as a person of interest in the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of Mohbad a few weeks ago. He is a known ally of musician Azeez Fashola aka Naira Marley, who is another person of interest in the case.

Footages that emerged following the death of Mohbad on September 12th documented the series of abuses and maltreatment the deceased was subjected to after he departed from the Naira Marley-owned Marlian Records label.

In one of those footages, Sam Larry, who singer Portable name-dropped as the founder of the notorious ‘One Million Boys’ gang known for assaults, armed robbery and raping, could be seen disrupting a Mohbad video shoot set alongside Omoniyi Temidayo a.k.a Zlatan.

Sam Larry had been out of the country since the footage started circulating online, but a video posted on social media late on Thursday showed him being escorted by three men from the airport.

President Bola Tinubu’s government has warned the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress against embarking on a nationwide strike.

The federal government called on the unions to shelve their proposed strike and refrain from actions capable of undermining the subsisting court orders.

The government stated this in a letter signed by the minister of justice, Lateef Fagbemi, and addressed to Femi Falana’s law firm, counsel to the labour unions.

The attorney copied the labour minister, the chief of staff to the president, the national security adviser, the inspector general of police and the SSS director-general in the letter.

The National Industrial Court had on June 5 restrained the NLC and the TUC from embarking on any industrial action over the removal of fuel subsidy.

The justice minister argued that the planned strike by the unions would violate the subsisting order of the court if they embark on the indefinite strike from October 3.

Mr Fagbemi told the unions to respect the court’s order and allow room for ongoing negotiations between them and the federal government.

“These are undoubtedly issues that have been submitted to the National Industrial Court for adjudication. Therefore, the proposed strike action is in clear violation of the pending interim injunctive order granted on June 5 restraining both NLC and TUC from embarking on any industrial action/or strike of any nature, pending the hearing and determination of the pending motion on notice,” the letter explained.

It added, “We wish to reiterate that a court order, regardless of the opinion of any party on it, remains binding and enforceable until set aside.”

Mr Fagbemi noted that the public expects the unions to lead in obedience and observance of court orders, not in breach.

“It is, therefore, the earnest expectation of this office that your distinguished law firm will advise the labour unions on the need to protect the integrity of courts and observe the sanctity of court orders,” the federal government letter stressed.

It impressed the unions that “their proposed strike action is in gross breach of the subsisting court order, as well as the appropriateness of addressing their grievances/demands within the ambit of the law.”