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Ogun State Police operatives have dismantled an alleged baby factory at Abaren Village, Mowe, rescuing two pregnant women and four children while arresting six suspects including a nurse, following intelligence on suspected human trafficking and illegal adoption activities.

According to The Nation, the August 24 operation rescued Ilesanmi Foluke, 23, who is seven months pregnant, and Ejekwa Melody, 20, who is eight months pregnant. Four children were also recovered from the premises.

A follow-up operation traced a third victim, Blessing Bright Effiong, 26, to a nearby hospital where she had delivered a baby boy on August 20 — but the newborn’s whereabouts remain unknown. The case has been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Abeokuta for further investigation.

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has questioned the decision by more than 500 Islamic scholars and clerics in Jigawa State to endorse President Bola Tinubu for a second term in 2027.

The party’s Jigawa chapter described the endorsement as inappropriate, arguing that religious leaders should not allow political affiliations to compromise their independence or influence how they provide guidance to the public.

The ADC’s position was contained in a statement issued by its Jigawa State Deputy Chairman and North ADC Youth Ambassador, Ambassador Nuraddeen Suleiman Jidawa.

Jidawa acknowledged that individual clerics had the right to support candidates of their choice but maintained that such political positions should not be presented as the collective position of Nigeria’s Muslim population.

The party also disputed some claims reportedly made by the scholars in support of the Tinubu administration, including the attribution of the Kano-Dutse/Kano-Maradi railway project to the current government.

According to the ADC, the railway project was approved and awarded during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021.

The opposition party therefore challenged the Federal Government to provide details of major capital projects initiated and substantially completed by the Tinubu administration in Jigawa State.

The party also rejected claims that the country’s security situation had improved significantly, particularly in the North-West.

It cited reported incidents of kidnapping and terrorist attacks in Kaduna, Sokoto and Zamfara as indications that insecurity remains a serious national challenge.

The ADC further referenced a recent Al Jazeera report concerning a video purportedly showing abducted people being held by armed men following reports of mass abductions in Niger State.

The party argued that such developments made it inappropriate to describe Nigeria’s security crisis as resolved.

It urged voters to assess the Tinubu administration based on tangible results rather than political endorsements, listing security, employment, economic conditions, infrastructure, transparency and accountability among the areas that should be considered.

The ADC also renewed its criticism of the removal of petrol subsidy, arguing that the policy had contributed to higher transportation costs and increased prices of food and other essential goods.

It called on Islamic scholars and clerics to preserve their independence and avoid becoming tools for political mobilisation.

“While we respect the right of individual clerics to make their political choices, such endorsements should not be presented as religious verdicts or as the position of Nigeria’s Muslim community,” the party said.

The party said religious leaders should instead use their influence to demand accountability from political authorities and provide moral guidance to society.

The ADC urged Nigerians to make independent decisions ahead of the 2027 elections by examining how government policies have affected their livelihoods and the country’s overall development.

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The Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi, has apologised to commuters, residents and businesses in Edo and Delta states over the deplorable condition of the Benin-Sapele Road, which has subjected motorists and other road users to severe hardship.

Umahi also ordered the immediate arrest of any contractor or concessionaire found removing asphalt from existing federal roads without proper authorisation, describing the practice as a destruction of public infrastructure.

The minister gave the directive on Tuesday during an inspection of major federal roads in Edo State, where he expressed deep disappointment over the condition of the Benin-Sapele and Benin-Agbor-Asaba corridors.

He said the Federal Government was concerned about the hardship being experienced by commuters and was determined to take urgent measures to restore the affected roads and ease traffic difficulties.

Umahi specifically apologised to the people of Edo and Delta states, as well as other Nigerians who use the highway.

He said: “I am very, very disappointed with this concessionaire. I offer apologies. I take full responsibility for the misdeed and for the destruction of public assets.”

The minister accused the concessionaire handling the project of lacking the technical competence, personnel and appropriate methodology required to execute the road rehabilitation effectively.

According to him, the road was in a better condition before it was handed over to the concessionaire.

Umahi disclosed that he had personally witnessed the removal of asphalt from the road during an earlier inspection conducted with the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, and had directed the contractor to stop the practice.

He said the Ministry of Works had repeatedly warned against the unauthorised removal of asphalt from federal roads, insisting that such action was contrary to government policy and amounted to the destruction of public assets.

The minister consequently directed Federal Controllers of Works across the country to ensure that any contractor or concessionaire found removing asphalt without approval was arrested.

“The Ministry of Works does not allow anybody to remove asphalt on the road. That is against the policies of the Ministry of Works,” Umahi said.

He further questioned the technical capacity and competence of the concessionaire handling the project, saying the Federal Government must ensure that companies awarded major road concessions possess the required expertise and integrity.

Umahi said the poor handling of the project had resulted in unnecessary suffering for commuters, residents and businesses along the corridor.

He, however, assured road users that the Federal Government would not allow the situation to continue indefinitely.

The minister said President Bola Tinubu was aware of the hardship caused by the condition of the road and had directed the Ministry of Works to do everything possible to restore the highway and provide relief to motorists.

He explained that although concession agreements were governed by legal and contractual provisions, the Federal Government could invoke overriding public interest where necessary to protect citizens and critical infrastructure.

Umahi also said the Federal Government would prioritise emergency intervention on the road while working towards a more permanent solution.

The minister commended youths in Edo State for remaining calm despite the prolonged hardship caused by the condition of the highway.

He said their restraint had helped prevent a possible breakdown of law and order, particularly given the frustration experienced by motorists and residents.

Umahi also praised Governor Monday Okpebholo for his intervention in the rehabilitation of federal roads across Edo State and for his commitment to infrastructure development.

Responding, Governor Okpebholo appealed to residents and youths in communities along the affected routes to remain patient and exercise restraint while the Federal Government works to address the situation.

The governor recalled the poor condition of the Benin-Ekpoma Road and said President Tinubu had responded to his appeal for the reconstruction of the road.

Okpebholo stressed the strategic importance of Edo State as a gateway linking several parts of the country, warning that prolonged disruption of movement could have wider economic and security consequences.
Concessionaire blames heavy rains

Meanwhile, the Chief Executive Officer of the concessionaire, Mr Samuel Daramola, attributed the slow pace of construction to heavy rainfall and other challenges associated with working on the busy highway.

Daramola said the company had embarked on palliative measures to keep traffic moving while construction continued.

He explained that one of the company’s initial interventions after taking over the Benin-Agbor Road was to expand sections of the highway and address the numerous potholes affecting motorists.

According to him, the company commenced palliative works because of the extent of deterioration on the road and the need to create temporary access for commuters.

The Federal Government’s latest intervention comes amid growing concerns over the condition of the Benin-Sapele-Warri corridor, a major transport route connecting communities and facilitating the movement of people and goods between Edo and Delta states.

The development has heightened calls for urgent action to prevent further economic losses and reduce the risks faced daily by motorists and commuters using the highway.

Niger Delta Herald reported that the Federal Government is also considering a review of concessioned roads across the country to ensure that concessionaires comply with contractual obligations and that road projects serve the public interest.