Seven suspected bandits were nabbed along the Benin–Agbor Road in Edo State during stop-and-search operations, security sources have confirmed.

According to sources, the suspects, all identified as Fulani youths, were intercepted after being offloaded from a truck at around 6:00 p.m. on 2 December 2025. A search of their mobile phones reportedly revealed pictures of assault rifles, including AK-47s.

During interrogation, the suspects claimed they had traveled from Adamawa State. Investigations are ongoing to recover any actual firearms and to determine their possible involvement in criminal activities.

Security agencies have urged members of the public to report any suspicious movements to help prevent criminal acts in the area.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld a Federal High Court ruling from October 4, 2024, that prohibits the Vehicle Inspection Office (VIO) from stopping, impounding, or seizing vehicles, as well as imposing fines on motorists.

The appellate court’s decision affirmed the lower court’s ruling, dealing a significant blow to the agency’s enforcement powers.

A three-member panel of the appellate court delivered a judgment on Thursday, resolving the three issues identified for determination against the appellant, the Directorate of Road Traffic Services, thereby upholding the lower court’s decision.

Justice Oyejoju Oyebiola Oyewumi, who delivered the lead judgment, held that the appeal was without merit. She awarded a cost of N1million against the appellant and in favour of the respondent, a rights activist and public interest attorney, Abubakar Marshal.

Previously, the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court had ruled that the Directorate of Road Services (widely known as VIO) should cease confiscating vehicles or imposing fines on Nigerians over road traffic violations.

Justice Nkeonye Evelyn Maha said while delivering judgment in FHC/ABJ/CS/1695/2023 on October 2, 2024, that the notorious road traffic inspectorate was not legally equipped to seize vehicles or impose severe sanctions on motorists.

The judgment, which followed a lawsuit by rights attorney Mr Marshal of Falana and Falana Chambers, significantly pruned the powers of one of the country’s most dreaded road traffic enforcers and brought respite to millions of motorists across the country.

The order did not apply to the Federal Road Safety Corps, which has operated for decades as the largest body of road traffic marshals in Nigeria.

In her judgment, Ms Maha said VIO officers “are not empowered by any law or statute to stop, impound, confiscate the vehicles of motorists and or impose fine on motorists.”

Subsequently, the judge entered an order of perpetual injunction restraining the VIO and its agents, privies, allies or anybody acting on its behalf from further violating the rights of Nigerians to freedom of movement, presumption of innocence and right to own property without lawful justification.

The Peoples Democratic Party PDP has constituted caretaker committees for Lagos and Ekiti states.

This was contained in a release signed by the party’s Organising Secretary, Hon Umar Bature.

The party stated that: Accordingly, your Committee is charged with the responsibility of running the
affairs of the Party in Ekiti State, as stipulated in section 21(2) (a-b) of our Party’s Constitution, for a period of one months (30 days) or until a new Executive is elected.
In carrying out this assignment you are guided strictly by the PDP Constitution (2017, as amended), The Electoral Act as amended 2010 and the Constitution
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.

“It is expected that your exemplary conduct and strict adherence to rules and
regulations during your assignment will justify the confidence reposed in you by the leadership of the party.

See list below:

Elder Kayode Ogunbiyi
Chairman
Lagos State Caretaker Committee
Peoples Democratic Party
Lagos State
APPOINTMENT OF LAGOS STATE CARETAKER COMMITTEE
The National Working Committee (NWC) of our great Party (PDP) has on behalf of the
National Executive Committee (NEC) Pursuant to Section 29 (2) (b) of our Constitution
(2017 as amended), approved your appointment as Chairman of Lagos State
CARETAKER COMMITTEE which is composed as follows:
(1) Elder Kayode Ogunbiyi
(2) Chief Adele Bankole
(3) Mrs. Akinro Bolaji Rosaline
(4) Mrs. Adebimpe Maria
(5) Mrs. Ege Allen
(6) Mr. Ifeanyi Okeke
-Chairman
-Vice Chairman
-Member
-Member
-Member
-Member
(7) Chief Adio Salami
-Member
(8) Alh. Abiola Tella
-Member
(9) Prince Gani Ogungbayi
-Member
(10) Mr. Odum Kalu
-Member
(11) Mr. Ola Odunfa
-Member
(12) Mrs. Iberu Taiwo
-Member
(13) Mr. Solomon Yusoof
-Member
(14) Mr. Olusanya Abayomi
-Member
(15) Mr. Samson Hundeyin
-Member
(16) Mr. Oriyomi Oluwafemi
-Member
(17) Mrs. Ijeoma Eze
-Member
(18) Mr. Olayinka Samuel
-Member
(19) Mr. Jamiu Awofala
-Secretary
Website: www.peoplesdemocraticparty.com.ng t: @OfficialsPDPNig | F: @Officialpdpnig 15:55
Accordingly, your Committee is charged with the responsibility of running the affairs
of the Party in Lagos State, as stipulated in section 21(2) (a-b) of our Party’s
Constitution, for a period of one months (30 days) or until a new Executive is elected.
In carrying out this assignment you are guided strictly by the PDP Constitution (2017,
as amended), The Electoral Act as amended 2010 and the Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended.
It is expected that your exemplary conduct and strict adherence to rules and
regulations during your assignment will justify the confidence reposed in you by the
leadership of the party.
Congratulations
Hon. Umar M. Bature
National Organizing Secretary
[12/4, 4:06 PM] George: PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY (PDP)
POWER TO THE PEOPLE
Motto: Justice, Unity and Progress
POWER TO THE PEOPLE
National secretariate: Wadata Plaza, Plot 1970, Micheal Okpara Street, Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.
Monday, December 01, 2025
Omolashe Lanre
Chairman,
Ekiti State Caretaker Committee,
Peoples Democratic Party,
Ekiti State.
APPOINTMENT OF EKITI STATE PDP CARETAKER COMMITTEE
The National Working Committee (NWC) of our great Party (PDP) has on behalf
of the National Executive Committee (NEC) Pursuant to Section 29 (2) (b) of
our Constitution (2017 as amended), approved your appointment as Chairman
of Ekiti State CARETAKER COMMITTEE which is composed as follows:
1) OMOLASHE LANRE
Chairman
2) FEMI PHILLIPS
Member
3) HON.GANI BAKARE
Member
4) HON AKANDE BABATUNDE
Member
5) TOSIN JOEL
Member
6) AYILARAN MODUPE
Member
7) PELEMON DARE
Member
8) CHIEF AROGBODO AYODELE
Member
9) SEGUN OLATUNJI
Member
10) BAR GBENGA AGBEDE
Member
11) SESAN OWOEYE
Member
12) GBENGA OJUAWO
13) ARINDE JIMOH
Member
Membet
14) ADARA ROTIMI
Member
15) BANJI ADELEKE
Member
16) CHIEF TUNDE OGUNLEYE
Member/Secretary.