Lagos State Task force security had carried out comprehensive enforcement operation in a determined effort to alleviate traffic congestion and enforce compliance with Lagos State traffic and environmental laws,

Chairman, CSP Adetayo Akerele led the operation on the targeted street traders and commercial buses who obstructs free flow of traffic and had created chaos in the area.

The crackdown extended to Ikotun Roundabout along Ijegun road and addressed persistent complaints of illegal street trading, trading on the walkways, as well as illegal parking by commercial vehicles obstructing free movement.

The action was initiated following observations made through the agency’s “See Something, Say Something” feedback platform.

During the exercise, taskforce operatives cleared the BRT corridors and pedestrian walkways that had become bottlenecks due to unauthorized activities.

The operation brought immediate relief to residents, motorists, and pedestrians, who described the previous situation as a source of constant frustration.

One resident, Mrs. Zainab Ajokeade, expressed her satisfaction, saying: “This is a new lease of life for us. The constant gridlock caused by street traders and illegally parked vehicles is finally gone. We can now move in and out of our streets freely.”

CSP Akerele emphasized the agency’s commitment to maintaining order and reducing travel time for commuters. He assured residents that the enforcement operation would be sustained and extended to other parts of Lagos State to ensure compliance with market best practices and traffic regulations.

“All the arrested street traders will be charged to court accordingly,” Akerele said.

The agency also urged traders and commercial motorists to adhere to Lagos State laws to avoid future disruptions. Residents welcomed the taskforce’s actions, calling for continuous enforcement to keep the area orderly and free of impediments.

Gbadeyan Abdulraheem, the Director of Press and Public Affairs for the Lagos State Taskforce, reiterated that the operation marks a significant step towards ensuring safer and more efficient transportation for all road users in the state.

Laminu Ahmed has been sentenced to life imprisonment by an High Court in Abuja. (FCT) for raping a seven-year-old girl.

Justice Modupe Osho-Adebiyi issued the sentence on Thursday while delivering judgment in the case prosecuted by Mrs. Yewande Awopetua of the Sexual and Gender Based Violence Response Unit of the Federal Ministry of Justice.

According to a statement by Kamarudeen Ogundele, the spokesman of the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) l, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), the convict committed the offence on January 3, 2023.

The statement reads: “The convict had on 3rd January 2023 asked the victim (name withheld) to bring him a plate of food from the food her mother was selling at the Zuba Fruit Market, Abuja and lured her to follow him with the food to a public bathroom in the market.

“He locked the door as soon as she entered and proceeded to sexually abuse and rape her by forcefully kissing her, inserting his fore finger into her vagina and then penis and raped her.

“He clamped his hands over her mouth when she attempted to scream and threatened to kill her if she ever told anyone.

“Nevertheless, the little girl was brave enough to tell her mother about the rape on her return.

“The mother had gone out to attend a friend’s naming ceremony when the incident occurred.

“She and the father had immediately reported the matter to the local vigilante who arrested the defendant and handed him over to the Police.

“The defendant confessed to the crime at the police station in Zuba and at the FCT Command, to which the case was later transferred.

“The defendant was charged to court by Prosecution Counsel from the SGBV Response Unit of the Federal Ministry of Justice (representing the AGF), on an eight count charge.

“He was charged with offences of unlawful sexual intercourse with a child and sexual abuse under the Child Rights Act; rape, intimidation and infliction of bodily injury under the Violence against Persons Prohibition Act (VAPP) 2015; and criminal force under the Penal Code.

“However, the defendant upon arraignment in June 2023 pleaded not guilty to all eight counts.

“The prosecution opened its case against the defendant, called witness and tendered evidences including the defendant’s confessional statement and confessional video, medical report and report of investigation as well as the statements of the victim and her mother to the police as proof of investigation.

“Reacting to the judgment, Awopetu described it as a win for the Justice Sector particularly the SGBV Response Unit in conjunction with the Gender Unit of the FCT Police Command and the FCT Judiciary, in their fight against the scourge of sexual violence in our society.

“It is also a warning to would be perpetrators that the long arm of the law will definitely catch up with them. A key lesson for parents in this case is never to leave their kids untended in a public place.

“Laminu Ahmed’s name will be included in the Sexual Offender’s Register as is required by law,” she said.

A Nigerian man, Olalekan Abimbola Olawusi, has been put on the most wanted list in United State, and a bounty of $25,000 reward for anyone who could provide information that could facilitate his arrest, Olawusi, who is reportedly facing trial for the alleged murder of his child.

A statement credited to the Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal, Don Freeman, and obtained from the agency’s website on Monday, that Olawusi has also been named among the 15 most wanted fugitives in the US.

Freeman noted that Olawusi, who lived in Rhodes Island, US, was arraigned on two counts bordering on first-degree murder caused by inflicting bodily injury to a child and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.

He added that the incident occurred on April 3, 2017, after police operatives and firefighters found the three-month-old child and rescued him at the hospital where it was discovered that the child had suffered injuries in 18 parts of his body. The discovery was said to have led to the arrest of Olawusi.

Upon his arrest, Olawusi was charged in court on April 20, 2017, but his whereabouts became unknown after he was released the same day while the trial was pending.

Freeman added that the infant died six months after being hospitalised as a result of the injuries he had allegedly sustained from his father’s abuse which prompted the prosecuting department to include a murder charge in the ongoing trial.

He said, “A man wanted in Rhode Island on charges of murder, inflicting serious bodily injury to a child and unlawful flight to avoid prosecution has been added to the U.S. Marshals Service 15 Most Wanted fugitives list with an up to $25,000 reward being offered for information leading to his arrest.

“Olalekan Abimbola Oulawsi, 48, was charged in Providence with first-degree murder and two counts of inflicting serious bodily injury to a child after Providence Police and Fire personnel found his three-month-old son bleeding from the mouth and nose at a residence on April 3, 2017.

“The child was transported to the hospital in cardiac arrest and needed to be resuscitated to regain a pulse. An examination at the hospital noted 18 injuries at various stages of healing, indicating a pattern of long-term abuse. These injuries included a skull fracture, subdural hematoma, significant brain injury, and fractures of the child’s ribs, clavicle, legs and arms. He was placed on life support but died six months later.

“Providence police arrested and charged Olawusi on April 20, 2017, with first-degree child abuse. He was released the same day and subsequently fled. The murder charge was added following the infant’s death on October 31, 2017.”

The US Supervisory Deputy Marshall noted that after frantic efforts to locate Olawusi, it was discovered that he had fled the country on June 20, 2017, while stressing that further investigation revealed that he was receiving assistance from family members in Nigeria.

He added that the suspect has been placed on the wanted list because he could pose a danger to children and other members of the public and the US would deploy all its resources to ensure that he faces justice.

“Olawusi is wanted for the abuse and murder of an innocent child and has fled the country to avoid justice. We have placed Mr Olawusi on our 15 Most Wanted list due to the heinous crimes he’s committed and the threat he continues to pose to the public. The USMS will exhaust all resources necessary to bring him to justice for his family and the community.

“Olawusi, who uses the alias Olekun Olawusi, stands 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs approximately 185 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. Information regarding his whereabouts may be reported to the U.S. Marshals at 1-877-WANTED2 (926-8332) or via the USMS Tips App,” Freeman concluded.