A devastating fire erupted in the early hours of Wednesday at the Alaba Rago Market in Lagos State’s Ojo area, reducing goods worth millions of naira to ashes.

The blaze reportedly began around midnight, swiftly engulfing the market’s shanty shops.

Responding to distress calls from traders and residents, emergency teams, including the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) and the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, promptly arrived at the scene.

Dr. Femi Oke-Osayintolu, Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, stated that the agency’s Dolphin Response Team and other units acted quickly to contain the fire, successfully preventing it from spreading to nearby properties.

“The emergency response plans were promptly initiated, and our team worked tirelessly alongside the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service to put the situation under control,” Oke-Osayintolu said.

Director of Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Margaret Adeseye, also confirmed that the fire had been curtailed, ensuring minimal collateral damage to nearby structures.

While no casualties was reported, the fire destroyed numerous shops, leaving traders counting heavy losses.

As of the time of reporting, the immediate or remote cause of the fire is yet to be ascertained.

The Alaba Rago Market is known for its vibrant trade in livestock, foodstuffs, and other commodities. Many traders affected by the fire expressed grief over the loss of their goods and livelihoods.

Efforts to ascertain the total value of the damage are ongoing as authorities continue investigations into the cause of the fire.

South Korean police tried to search President Yoon Suk Yeol’s office on Wednesday but have not been able to enter the main building, Yonhap news reported as an investigation into the U.S. ally’s decision to declare martial law widened.

The attempt to search the presidential office significantly escalates the investigation against Yoon and top police and military officers over the Dec. 3 martial law declaration that plunged the country with Asia’s fourth-largest economy into a constitutional crisis.

Yoon is now the subject of a criminal investigation into insurrection allegations and is banned from leaving the country, but he has not been arrested or questioned by authorities.

A presidential security service official said earlier on Wednesday that the police raid of Yoon’s office was under way, confirming media reports at the time. Yonhap later said investigators at the presidential compound had not yet entered the main building.

Yonhap said police had not managed to agree with the Secret Service on the method of the seizure and search. Police declined to comment.

“We are responding based on the law and past government cases,” a presidential office official said denied that the office was opposing the search.

Former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, a close confidant of Yoon, and two senior police officers including the national police chief have been arrested on charges of insurrection as part of the investigation.

Kim attempted suicide using a shirt and underwear late on Tuesday night at a detention centre where he is being held, a Justice Ministry official told parliament.

He was now under observation and his life was not in danger, the official added.

Kim has resigned and apologised for his part in the short-lived imposition of emergency rule, saying he alone was responsible.

Soon after Yoon’s late-night declaration of martial law, lawmakers including some members of his own party voted to demand the president immediately rescind the order, which he did hours later.

A HIgh Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama has ordered the remand of the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello in Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja pending his bail application.

By the court’s ruling, Bello may remain in prison till January 29 when the court adjourned further proceedings in the criminal case involving him.

Bello is standing trial, along with two others, in an alleged N110bn money laundering charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

In an earlier ruling on Tuesday, Justice Maryanne Anenih faulted the competence of Bello’s bail application and held that it was filed prematurely.

Justice Anenih held that the application, having been filed when Bello was neither in custody nor before the court, his application was incompetent.

She said: “Consequently, the instant application, having been filed prematurely is hereby refused.”

Bello’s bail application was filed on November 22 before he was arrested on November 26 and arraigned on November 27.

In two other rulings, Justice Anenih granted bail to each of the two Bello’s co-defendants – Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu at N300m with two sureties in like sum.

The judge said the sureties must have property worth the said amount within the court’s jurisdiction.

She then adjourned further proceedings till January 29 next year.

It was learnt that Bello’s lawyers could file a fresh bail application and apply to the court for an early hearing date.

If the request for an early date is granted by the court and the fresh bail application granted, Bello could escape spending the yuletide period in Kuje correctional centre.

The Joint Consultative Forum (JCF) of Tertiary Institutions owned by the Katsina state government has declared a 14-day ultimatum beginning from December 9, demanding full implementation of all salary structures as submitted and approved by the National Salaries, Income and Wages Commission.

Chairman of the forum, Comrade Muhammad Nasir Gidado, made this declaration while addressing the press at the end of the joint consultative meeting held at Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic.

The forum reminded the state government that Katsina state has been advocating for the implementation of new salary structures.

The JCF chairman reiterated that the executive committee reaffirmed its position to the Katsina state government on the new national minimum wage.

He added that the forum has received the proposed and approved salary tables from the NLC and expressed “grave reservations” after careful study.

Gidado highlighted key concerns, including the omission of salary tables for both academic and non-academic staff of UMYU from earlier submissions made by the forum, as well as unfavourable adjustments made to the consolidated Polytechnics and Colleges of Education Academic Staff Salary (CONTISS11).

He said: “We want to draw the attention of the state government to note that the JCF has resolved to issue a 14-day ultimatum, and it is done in the collective interests of all staff of Katsina state-owned tertiary institutions’’

“It is hoped that the state will act accordingly in due course to aid continuous industrial harmony’’

Institutions that were listed under the JCF include UMYU, HUkP, Isah Kaita College, Yusuf Bala Usman College of Education, KSITM, Colleges of Health Sciences, and Nursing among others.

Ondo state governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has proposed to spend the sum of N655,230,100.00 for the 2025 fiscal year.

The 2025 budget proposal is N193bn higher than the 2024 budget of N492.045,000.

The capital expenditure proposed for the 2024 budget was N246.73bn while the proposed recurrent expenditure was N245.3bn.

Speaking at the presentation of the 2025 budget before the Ondo State House of Assembly, Governor Aiyedatiwa said the 2024 recurrent expenditure posted a performance of N156.7bn while capital expenditure posted a performance of N49.96bn.

Governor Aiyedatiwa said the poor capital expenditure for 2024 was caused by what he termed ‘very prohibitive inflationary pressure.’

Christened Budget of Recovery, Governor Aiyedatiwa said the 2025 estimate was prepared after a very deep analysis of the world economic outlook as well as the implications for the national economy and the state.

Governor Aiyedatiwa said 62% of the 2025 budget estimate representing N406.3bn was allocated to capital expenditure while 38% representing N248.9bn was allocated for recurrent expenditure.

Aiyedatiwa said N7bn was proposed for upgrading health facilities across the state while N370m was proposed for the free school shuttle bus services.

According to him, “The above allocation is an eloquent testimony of our avowed commitment to transforming the socio-economic landscape of the State. Agriculture would be approached in an integrated manner in order to ensure food security in the State.

“Smallholder farmers would be assisted with inputs, particularly improved seedlings, to ensure that yield per hectare is substantially increased.

“Our intention on infrastructure revolution is clear. Most of the roads constructed during the times of Chief Adefarati and Dr. Olusegun Agagu (both of blessed memory) are already in deplorable condition. Therefore, an urgent revolution, tagged “Road Restore” will commence in the 2025 fiscal year. Furthermore, we will continue to install solar street lights on our roads such that in a few years, we will completely “Light up” Ondo State.

“Moreover, producing secondary school pupils without life skills is a recipe for disaster. We want to be producing entrepreneurs, innovators, tech-merchants, and job creators from our secondary schools. At least, three of such model secondary schools will be constructed in 2025.

“All these lofty ideas will not detract us from completing the plethora of ongoing projects across the State as adequate funds have been allocated to all of them. There shall be no abandoned projects in the State.”

The federal government has announced an increase in the tax exemption threshold for Small and Medium enterprises (SMEs) from ₦25 million to ₦50 million in annual turnover, highlighting the significant benefits of the Tax reform bills for small businesses.

According to a statement signed by the management of the Small and Medium Enterprises Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Director General Charles Odii will embark on a sensitization tour to engage Small Business Owners nationwide on the implications and opportunities of the proposed Tax Reform Bills.

This exercise builds on earlier efforts that contributed to the drafting and submission of the Bills. The objective is to provide clarity, dispel misconceptions, and foster a better understanding among key stakeholders, including local administrators.

The engagement will kick off with a breakfast meeting in Lagos, featuring representatives from Business Membership Organizations (BMOs) and other associations. Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, will lead a key session during the meeting.

“We want SMEs to fully understand the implications of these Bills and be adequately represented in the ongoing legislative process. Our priority is for SMEs to reap its full benefits, which will ultimately boost the economy, given that they are the engine of growth.

“Proposals such as the consolidation of taxes, elimination of nuisance levies, expansion of exemptions, and zero VAT on exports and essential goods reflect the true wishes of SMEs as identified during previous engagements and surveys,” Odii emphasized.

Odii further stressed the importance of understanding enforcement mechanisms, adding that SMEs need to understand what enforcement would look like if the Bills are passed, to ensure they are not denied the benefits intended for them.

With over 90% of businesses in the country and more than 80% of employment dependent on SMEs, it is crucial to eliminate arbitrary taxes that increase operational costs, as proposed by the Bills, to ensure SMEs can hold relevant authorities accountable for proper implementation.

The DG said the engagement sessions would help dispel misinformation and fear-mongering surrounding the Bills, ensuring productive and informed discussions. He commended the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee for its commitment to dialogue and prioritizing SMEs, which drive growth and prosperity.

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress AAC in the 2023 general election, Omoyele Sowore, has criticised former Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi for visiting renowned legal icon Chief, Afe Babalola to discuss ongoing legal cases involving activist lawyer, Dele Farotimi.

Obi accompanied by the Labour Party candidate in the 2024 governorship poll in Ondo , Sola Ebiseni had on Monday visited Babalola in his office in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti state capital to appeal to the Senior Advocate of Nigeria on the matter of Farotimi.

At the meeting which lasted for about two hours, the LP presidential candidate sought forgiveness for Farotimi with an appeal on the elder statesman to drop the ongoing court cases.

Farotimi is facing criminal defamation and cybercrime charges in an Ekiti State Magistrates’ Court and the Federal High Court, Ado Ekiti.

The defamation charge stems from the allegations in Farotimi’s book entitled “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System” that accused Babalola of influencing Supreme Court judges.

While the Magistrates’ Court had earlier remanded Farotimi and adjourned the case until (today) the Federal High Court sitting in Ado-Ekiti, granted him bail on Monday in the sum of N50m.

But reacting to the development, Sowore, in a post on his X handle on Tuesday condemned Obi for visiting Babalola to seek forgiveness for Farotimi.

The AAC presidential candidate who had called for a protest today in Ekiti, Lagos, Abuja and London against the Nigerian police and the judiciary in the handling of the case, said that Obi actions has dealt a devastating blow to the struggle to root out the alleged corruption in the nation’s judicial system.

“I condemn those who went to “beg” Chief Afe Babalola today over the unjust detention and persecution of @Dele Farotimi; the delegation led by @PeterObi did colossal injustice to the struggle to drain the swamp of judicial criminality in our country.

“Obi’s action is like forcing Rosa Parks to return to back of the bus of racial injustice during the civil rights era in the US! The struggle continues”, the tweet reads.

The Lagos State Ministry of Transportation has raised concerns over the rising trend of unauthorised gate installations in some communities, particularly in the Lekki axis.

The ministry observed that many gates were erected without its approval, while some of the approved gates were being mismanaged as residents failed to follow established guidelines for gated streets.

The ministry stated that the non-compliance disrupts traffic flow, hampers emergency response access, and threatens public safety.

To address the situation, the government issued a warning and outlined enforcement measures.

In a Monday statement, the Commissioner for Transportation, Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said, “All gates and barriers installed without prior authorisation from the Lagos State Government are illegal and will be removed.

“Any unauthorised gate or barrier must be dismantled within seven days of this announcement. Failure to comply will result in enforcement actions, including removal and penalties, in line with existing regulations.

“Gates or barriers on public roads or streets must remain fully open for public use between 5 am and 10 pm daily, to ensure interconnectivity and the free flow of traffic across the state.”

He added that all approved gates or barriers must be manned by security personnel engaged by the Community Development Associations.

However, between 10 pm and 5 am, the gates or barriers may remain closed but must be opened promptly in the event of an emergency to allow free access and exit for first responders.

He urged all residents and CDAs to strictly comply with the guidelines to foster a safe, efficient, and connected transportation network across the state.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated a Nigerian-born Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the Memorial University of Newfoundland, Dr. Bolu Ogunyemi, on his election as President-elect of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA).

Dr. Ogunyemi, a dermatologist based in St. John’s, Newfoundland, and a visiting specialist in Labrador City since 2018, has been recognised for his visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to advancing medical science.

His election marks a significant milestone, reflecting his 15 years of leadership experience and steadfast commitment to improving healthcare outcomes.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu described Dr. Ogunyemi’s achievement as a “remarkable testament” to his exemplary professional record and his compassionate service to humanity.

“This esteemed recognition underscores Dr. Ogunyemi’s exceptional contributions to medical science and his leadership acumen, which will undoubtedly drive the Canadian Medical Association to new heights,” the President said.

Dr. Ogunyemi’s election is set to be formally ratified during the CMA’s annual general meeting (AGM) in May 2025.

Expressing confidence in his capability to lead the prestigious body, President Tinubu urged Dr. Ogunyemi to embrace inclusivity and collaboration in fulfilling his mandate, adding that those who contested for the position should be seen as allies in progress.

The President also assured Dr. Ogunyemi of Nigeria’s unwavering support and prayers as he embarks on this new chapter of leadership, emphasising that his success resonates with the pride and aspirations of Nigerians worldwide.

The election of Dr. Ogunyemi, who has carved a niche for himself as a respected voice in medicine and academia, serves as an inspiration for Nigerians at home and abroad, demonstrating the global impact of the nation’s talents.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted hazy and cloudy weather for three days, covering yesterday to tomorrow, across the country.

NiMet’s weather outlook, which was released on Sunday in Abuja, envisaged the North would experience dust haze with visibility range of one kilometre to five kilometres.

It anticipated localised visibility of less than 1,000 metres throughout the forecast period.

According to the weatherman, the hazy atmosphere with patches of clouds is anticipated over the southern region of the country during the forecast period.

“On Tuesday, the North and the Northcentral regions of the country are expected to experience dust haze with visibility range of 1km to five kilometres and localised visibility of less than 1,000 metres throughout the forecast period.

“In the South, early morning mist or fog patches are expected over the coastal region. However,

sunny skies with patches of clouds should prevail over the inland and the coastal states during the later in the day.

“On Wednesday, good visibility dust haze is expected during the forecast period in the northern region. In the Northcentral, dust haze with moderate visibility of one kilometre to five kilometres is expected during forecast period.

According to NiMet, in the southern region, early morning mist or fog patches are expected over the coastal region with few clouds in a hazy atmosphere over the inland states.

The weather agency predicted slim prospects of thunderstorms over parts of Cross River, Bayelsa, Lagos, and Akwa Ibom later in the day.

NiMet urged the public to take necessary precaution as dust particles are in suspense.

“People with asthmatic health condition and other respiratory issues should be cautious of the present weather condition. Adhere to safety advisories issued by relevant authorities.

“Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.

“Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet. Visit our website www.nimet.gov.ng,” the statement said.

The Nigerian Army performed a symbolic lowering and hoisting of the command flag at Army Headquarters as Lt .-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede assumed command as the 24th chief of army staff.

The ceremony took place on Monday.

President Bola Tinubu appointed Mr Oluyede on October 30 in an acting capacity following the death of his predecessor, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

The chief of defence staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, had, on November 1, handed him the insignia of office in an unusual fashion in line with the Armed Forces Act.

The symbolic lowering and hoisting of the command flag, which signifies the beginning of his tenure, came after the Senate and House of Representatives confirmed his appointment.

Until his appointment, Mr Oluyede, 56, served as the 56th commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna.

Messrs Oluyede and Lagbaja were coursemates and members of the 39th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy.

He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992, effective from 1987, and rose to major general in September 2020.

Lagos State Government may have suspended operations on its Red Line Mass Transit Train Service (LRMT) until further notice.

Checks by our correspondent indicated that the operations of the train service ran into troubled waters last week. Many passengers observed mechanical failure on the morning belt of the train service last Monday.

A passenger, who preferred anonymity that boarded the train from Iju, said they had been told the train had developed a mechanical fault and when they got to Mushin, all passengers were instructed to disembark, as the train could no longer move.

Another passenger, Emmanuel Ajadi, said he was turned back at Agege Train Station last Tuesday by station workers, who said the train was not in operation.

Same day, operators of the Red Line had in a terse chat posted on the LRMT WhatsApp channel created same day, indicated that the break would affect only the morning belt, saying the afternoon belt would still run.

On the Whatsapp Channel, which was deleted by the operator last Friday, it was stated: “Please note that only the 5:20pm and 6:50pm train from Oyingbo and 6:40pm train from Agbado will run today.” Checks revealed that both services pledged for that evening never ran.

By 9:19pm same Tuesday, the operator confirmed it wasn’t able to operate as promised when it sent the chat: “We sincerely apologise for the cancellation of service this evening, which was due to mechanical faults. Kindly note that the train will not be operating tomorrow, and until further notice. We deeply regret this situation.”

The Red Line began commercial operation on October 15, eight months after it was inaugurated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on February 29.

The service took off with two services at the morning and two at evening peaks, culminating in four shuttles per day, which it intends to upscale as operations improve on the corridor, which is projected to be a major cash cow with the huge population of passengers transiting from Agbado to Oyingbo.

Checks indicated that the train service had until the suspension of operation due to mechanical failure been running at below optimal carriage capacity, as many have complained about the high cost of trips, put end-to-end at N1500 per trip (from Oyingbo-Agbado or from Agbado-Oyingbo), while the narrow gauge train operated by the Nigerian Railway Corporation on the same corridor for the same trip costs N750.

The Red Line, which started commercial operation on its 27km first phase, was operated by First Metro, under the guide of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA). The service is projected to carrying about 500,000 passenger daily and about 1.5 million daily at the completion of the second phase, which will see the service terminate at Onikan, from where it will join the state’s premier mass transit, the Lagos Blue Line.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had while launching its operation assured Lagosians of timely service on the train, as travel time would be reduced to between 30 to 45 minutes end-to-end.

He said the 25 per cent rebate regime on public transportation announced by the government would also be observed on the train.

Attempts to get reactions from LAMATA by our correspondent have been unsuccessful, as calls or WhatsApp chats to their phone numbers were not responded to.

The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development (MSMD) has confirmed that the reappointment of Fatima Shinkafi as Executive Secretary of the Solid Minerals Development Fund (SMDF) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu aligns with the agency’s founding regulations.

In a statement issued last week, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Media and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, announced the renewal of Shinkafi’s appointment as the Executive Secretary of the SMDF/Presidential Artisanal Gold Mining Initiative (SMDF/PAGMI).

In response to recent controversy surrounding her reappointment, the ministry clarified that there is no provision in the SMDF Act that imposes a term limit for the agency’s Chief Executive Officers.

The statement was made by the ministry’s Assistant Director of Information and Public Relations, Mrs. Ekwugha Chinwe, on Monday in Abuja.

The statement reads: “Our attention has been drawn to misinformation making the rounds in some quarters on the reappointment of Hajia Fatima Shinkafi as the Executive Secretary of SMDF, as approved by the President. The approval, done weeks ago, followed due process and aligns with the extant laws governing the agency, as well as the Nigeria Minerals And Mining Act (NMMA) 2007”.

“Section 35(2) of the NMMA 2007 stipulates that the Executive Secretary shall be appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Minister of Solid Minerals Development. No provisions on tenure limit exist in the act governing the agency. The act does not stipulate term limit for the chief executive. Therefore, her reappointment by the president is in order and does not contravene any law. ”

“SMDF under her stewardship has been reorganized for capital mobilization, leading de-risking of investment tools for the mining sector and enabling targeted exploration to fast track mine development amongst others. Hence, her pivotal role in our efforts to reposition the mining sector is invaluable, “the ministry asserted.

The ministry then assured mining stakeholders that it will continue to support the agency to expand access to lines of credit, lead the change to strengthen partnerships that will unlock financing to drive economic growth, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of making solid minerals a significant contributor to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Actress Regina Daniels has earned a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from a University in Mexico.

On her social media, Regina shared her excitement and gratitude, expressing pride in herself and acknowledging her status as “God’s favourite.”

She extended heartfelt appreciation to her loving husband, Ned Nwoko, for his unwavering support, love, and encouragement.

Additionally, she thanked her mother, Rita Daniels, for being her rock and backbone.

This moment is more than a milestone; it’s a testament to countless hours of hard work, determination, resilience, and God’s love. I am super proud of myself! I often confidently say I am God’s favorite and it’s no cap. Thank you, my darling hubby, for your unwavering support, love, and encouragement. To my treasure, Nnem, thank you for always being my backbone; I love you, mummy. Here’s to new beginnings and endless possibilities!”, she wrote.

In a historic turn of events, Syrian rebels seized the capital Damascus unopposed on Sunday, bringing an abrupt end to President Bashar al-Assad’s 13-year rule and the six-decade-long dominance of the Assad family.

The lightning advance sent Assad fleeing to Russia, which granted him and his family asylum, according to Russian state media.

The collapse of Assad’s government marks a major geopolitical shift, diminishing the influence of Iran and Russia in the region while leaving Syria in the hands of a rebel coalition partly backed by Turkey.

For Syrians, the regime’s sudden fall brings the promise of an end to a devastating civil war that left hundreds of thousands dead, cities in ruins, and millions displaced across the Middle East and beyond.

In a jubilant speech at Damascus’s historic Umayyad Mosque, rebel leader Abu al-Golani declared the dawn of a new era, urging Syrians to rebuild their nation.

“How many people were displaced across the world? How many people lived in tents? How many drowned in the seas?” al-Golani told a huge crowd at the medieval Umayyad Mosque in central Damascus, referring to refugees who died trying to reach Europe, as reported by Reuters.

“A new history, my brothers, is being written in the entire region after this great victory,” he said, adding that with hard work Syria would be “a beacon for the Islamic nation”.

The Assad regime’s notorious police state disintegrated overnight. Freed political prisoners poured out of jails, rejoicing in the streets. Residents walked freely into the presidential palace, with some leaving carrying furniture.

The fall of Assad, long supported by Moscow and Tehran, is a major blow to their strategic ambitions in the region, including Iran’s ability to arm its allies and Russia’s naval presence in the Mediterranean.

United States President Joe Biden welcomed Assad’s ouster but cautioned that it marked a moment of both opportunity and uncertainty.

A 31-year-old man was arrested on Sunday after he attempted to redirect a domestic flight in Mexico to the United States while it was en route, according to authorities.

The Airbus A320 plane, which took off around 7:17 am local time, was bound for the northwest city of Tijuana from the central city of Leon, Guanajuato, but had to make an emergency landing at Guadalajara International Airport about 45 minutes into the flight.

“A subject assaulted a flight attendant and attempted to enter the cockpit to divert the flight to the United States,” said a statement from the Secretariat of Security and Civilian Protection.

However, crew members were able to subdue the man — who was reportedly travelling with family — and issued an alert to conduct an emergency landing in Guadalajara.

A report from flight operator Volaris said “the aggressor told them a close relative had been kidnapped and, upon taking off from Leon, was threatened to be killed if he went to Tijuana.”

Neither statement detailed how many other passengers were aboard the flight.

After the arrest, the flight resumed its journey to the original destination of Tijuana.

Guanajuato is one of the states hit hardest by drug cartel violence, which has grown to include crimes including extortion and kidnapping.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Lagos State University (LASU) Ojo branch, has begun total and indefinite strike to

protest the non-implementation of the Federal Government approved salary increment of 25 per cent/35 per cent for its members since January 2023.

In a statement released yesterday and signed by ASUU-LASU Chairman, Prof. Ibrahim Bakare and Secretary, Dr Sylvester Idowu, the union complained that the agreement had been implemented in all federal universities and 18 state universities ‘’as of this moment.’’

It said another reason for the declaration of the strike was that, long before their upgrade to university status, the salaries of workers of Lagos State University of Science and Technology and Lagos State University of Education were and are still higher than those of LASU workers.

The union called for harmonisation of the salary disparity in the three institutions.

It noted that the committee constituted by the government to make recommendations to harmonise the salaries had submitted its report, ‘’ but implementation has remained a pipe dream.’’

ASUU-LASU urged students to display a high sense of maturity, solidarity and understanding in the matter, saying the state government and the university were making efforts to address the issue.

It called on students to disregard statement dated December 7, 2024, signed by the LASU Students’ Union President and Public Relations Officer that activities continue in LASU despite SSANU and NASU strike.

“The declaration of the strike by ASUU-LASU is in conformity with the decision of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of all the workers’ unions in the university and a letter to this effect, jointly signed by all the staff unions in LASU has been sent not only to the Vice Chancellor, but also Mr Governor, who is the visitor to our university,” the union added.

National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has nabbed a suspected drug trafficker, Egwu Phillip Inya, who claims to be a building engineer, while attempting to take delivery of illicit consignments concealed in pressure machines imported from South Africa.

Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Jahi, Abuja, Femi Babafemi, yesterday said the 42-year-old Egwu was arrested on December 2, this year at Okeyson Motor Park, Enugu when he showed up to collect three units of pressure machines.

Babafemi said hidden in the items were parcels of Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, weighing 7.40 kilogrammes.

In a statement,Babafemi said: “The consignments had arrived at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos import shed on 29th November 2024. Following credible intelligence, officers of the MMIA Strategic Command of the agency had monitored the shipment pass through clearing up to a logistics company’s warehouse outside the airport where it was to be collected by the consignee.