News

Wike Revokes 4,794 Land Titles Over Unpaid Ground Rent In FCT

Published

12 hours ago

March 18, 2025

Admin

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has approved revocation of 4,794 land titles, over non-payment of Ground Rent, for more than 40 years.

In the Central Area, Garki I and II, Wuse I and II, Asokoro, Maitama and Guzape, a total of 8,375 property owners have not paid Ground Rent in the last 43 years.

This was made known in a press briefing by the Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media, Lere Olayinka, and the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) Director of Lands, Chijioke Nwankwoeze.

“It should be noted that the FCTA made numerous publications in national newspapers and announcements on broadcast media since 2023, calling on defaulters to pay up all outstanding bills and ground rents. All these yielded little response, as several allottees failed to pay.

“It is important to state that payment of Ground Rent on landed properties in the FCT is founded on extant legislation. It is stipulated in the terms and conditions of the grant of Right of Occupancy, and it is due for payment on the first day of January, each year, without demand.

“Consequently, a list of land titles in default of payment of Ground Rent has been compiled in the ten oldest districts of Phase 1 of the Federal Capital City (FCC). They are; Central Area District (Cadastral Zone A00), Garki I (Cadastral Zone A01), Wuse I (Cadastral Zone A02), Garki II (Cadastral Zone A03), Asokoro (Cadastral Zone A04), Maitama (Cadastral Zone A05), Maitama (Cadastral Zone A06), Wuse II (Cadastral Zone A07), Wuse II (Cadastral Zone A08) and Guzape (Cadastral Zone A09).

“As at the end of 2024 and up till today, a total of N6,967,980,119 is owed as Ground Rent by 8,375 property owners. In other words, a total of 8,375 property owners have not paid Ground Rent up to last year, 2024.

“A total of 4,794 land titles are in default of Ground rent payment for 10 years and above. This means that in the listed districts, 4,794 property owners have not paid Ground Rent in the last 10 years.

“This is in contravention of the terms and conditions of the grant of the Rights of Occupancy, in line with the provisions of Section 28, Subsections 5(a) and (b) of the Land Use Act.

“Consequently, the titles of the properties in default of payment of Ground Rent for 10 years and above have been revoked forthwith.

“A grace of 21 Days is also given to title holders that are in default of payment of Ground Rent for between one and ten years, after which the affected titles will be revoked.”

News

Reps Order Urgent Technical Audit, Safety Measures for Otedola Bridge

Published

12 minutes ago

March 18, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has directed the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing to carry out a comprehensive technical audit of Otedola Bridge within 30 days, focusing on its gradient, descent, and structural integrity. The audit is expected to recommend modifications such as gradient reduction, reinforced safety barriers, and emergency escape lanes, all to be implemented within 12 months.

In an urgent bid to enhance road safety, the House also instructed the Ministry to approve emergency funds for immediate repairs on damaged sections of the bridge within 90 days while a full redesign is underway.

The House further directed the mandatory establishment of weighbridges and vehicle inspection stations along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway within 60 days, ensuring that all tankers meet legal weight limits and braking standards. Defaulters will face vehicle impoundment and prosecution. Additionally, a biannual digital certification system for fuel tankers is to be introduced within six months to eliminate mechanically unsafe vehicles from Nigerian roads.

To curb tanker-related accidents, the House imposed an immediate restriction on fuel tanker movement across Otedola Bridge from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m, with strict enforcement by the Nigeria Police, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA). Special movement hours will be designated under close monitoring.

Safety enhancements such as speed cameras, rumble strips, and improved signage will be installed within 90 days to alert drivers about the steep descent and enforce compliance.

In a long-term effort to improve safety standards, the Federal Ministry of Transportation has been directed to develop a mandatory training and certification program for tanker drivers within six months. This program will focus on handling heavy-duty vehicles on steep gradients and emergency response procedures.

Additionally, a joint task force comprising the FRSC, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State emergency agencies, and transport unions has been mandated to conduct a full investigation into the March 11, 2025, tanker explosion and previous incidents on Otedola Bridge.

The findings must be submitted within 21 days, ensuring that all responsible parties—whether drivers, transport owners, or regulators face legal consequences.

These measures come in response to growing concerns over frequent accidents on Otedola Bridge, with lawmakers emphasizing the need for immediate intervention to prevent further loss of lives and property.

These resolutions to the adoption of a matter of urgent public importance on the “URGENT NEED TO ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF FREQUENT ACCIDENTS ON OTEDOLA BRIDGE, LAGOS-IBADAN EXPRESSWAY”, by Rep. Sese Winghan member representing Badagry Federal Constituency of Lagos State on Tuesday at plenary.

In hos lead debate, he said: “On March 11, 2025, at approximately 8:00 p.m., a petrol tanker overturned and exploded on Otedola Bridge along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, resulting in a devastating inferno that destroyed vehicles, properties, and caused severe traffic disruptions on this critical transport corridor, with the full extent of casualties and losses yet to be determined.

“This tragedy is the latest in a series of fatal accidents on Otedola Bridge, including:

– June 28, 2018: A tanker fire killed at least 12 people and incinerated over 50 vehicles.

– November 2019, October 2020, March 2021: Multiple incidents of tanker crashes and explosions have established Otedola Bridge as a recurring danger zone for motorists and commuters.

“Investigations and expert analyses have identified multiple causes of these frequent accidents, including:

Engineering Defects: The steep gradient and sharp descent of Otedola Bridge places excessive strain on the braking systems of heavy-duty vehicles, increasing the risk of brake failure and loss of control.

Mechanical Failures: Recurrent incidents of brake malfunctions, burst tires, and vehicle overloading—as witnessed in the 2018 and 2019 tanker disasters—are linked to poor vehicle maintenance and regulatory failures.

Human Error: Reckless driving, excessive speeding, and inadequate training of tanker operators further exacerbate the risks posed by the bridge’s challenging terrain.

Systemic Neglect: Weak enforcement of vehicle safety regulations, failure to restrict tanker movements despite previous policy commitments, and lack of necessary infrastructure upgrades have allowed these preventable disasters to persist.

“The Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), and other relevant agencies, bears a constitutional duty to ensure the safety of road users, yet Otedola Bridge remains an example of infrastructural and regulatory failure.

“The economic losses, fatalities, and psychological trauma caused by these recurring accidents demand urgent intervention to prevent further disasters”, the motion reads.

News

Police arrest six suspected kidnappers in Edo, recover arms

Published

48 minutes ago

March 18, 2025

Naijablitznews

By Francesca Hangeior

The Edo State Police Command has arrested six suspected kidnappers with cash suspected to be proceeds from kidnapping activities.

The command’s spokesperson, Moses Yamu, in a statement on Tuesday, said arms and ammunition were recovered from the suspects in the last 48 hours.

Yamu disclosed that the arrests and recoveries were made in several places in Edo North which has experienced kidnappings and killings in the last three weeks.

The statement read, “On 16/03/2024 at about 04:30hrs, operatives of the Agbede Police Division alongside vigilante personnel, while on stop and search in Aviele along Abumere by power line, intercepted and arrested three suspects Jamilu Idris (20 years) Usman Shuaibu (24 years) and Yahuza Usman (20 years).

“One English-made Beretta pistol, one dagger, and an Infinix phone were recovered from the suspects after they were searched.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects are part of a syndicate responsible for kidnaping and armed robbery, including snatching of motorcycles in that axis of the state. Investigation continues with a view to arrest other members of the syndicate.

“On 16/03/2025 at about 22:10hrs, operatives of the Auchi Division, in collaboration with the vigilante on routine stop and search at UBA junction Auchi, intercepted two young men. The young men who took to their heels on sighting the police were given a hot chase, and one Adamu Usman of Hausa Quarters was arrested while his accomplice escaped.

“The on-the-spot search led to the recovery of N1,345,100 believed to be proceeds of kidnapping. Also recovered were five micro sim cards, one machete, one dagger, two phones and a pack of cigarettes.

“During preliminary investigation, two additional suspects, Iliyasu Abubakar (19 years) and Safiyanu Mohammed (20 years) were arrested, while one of the sim cards was discovered to belong to one Ajibola Sunday of Igbirra camp in Auchi. When Ajibola Sunday was contacted and invited to the station, he identified the suspect as being part of the eight-man gang that kidnapped him and his mother-in-law on 11/03/2025 and their relations had to part with the sum of N10 million to secure their release.”

Yamu said that the Commissioner of Police, Betty Otimenyin, assured the public of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

He assured all that perpetrators would be brought to justice.

News

Reps Move to Investigate Killings In Igbatoro Community

Published

49 minutes ago

March 18, 2025

Gloria Ikibah

By Gloria Ikibah

The House of Representatives has condemned in its entirety the massacre and kidnapping at Igbatoro Famnilugba Community by armed herdsmen.

The House therefore called on the Federal Government to establish a Military Post in Igbatoro Community in Akure North Local Government of Ondo State to stop further killing and kidnapping of harmless farmers in that area;

The lawmakers also urged the Federal Government to take immediate and decisive action to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators of the criminal act, and ensure that those kidnapped should be released as urgent as possible.

This resolution was sequel to the adoption of a matter of urgent public importance on the “Need for the Federal Government to Intervene In the Massive Massacre and Kidnapping at Igbatoro Familugba Community in Akure North by the Armed Herdsmen”, by Rep. Abiodun Derin Adesida on Tuesday at plenary.

Debating the motion, Rep. Adesida noted that gunmen, suspected to be herdsmen, in the early hours of Saturday, attacked four communities in Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State, leaving scores of people living in the communities were killed in the midnight attack.

He said: “The recent massacre and kidnapping at Igbatoro Familugba Community 1% of March, 2025 by a group of Armed herdsmen who massacre and kidnapped one of the farmers, who was later rescued with a ransom of 1, 200, 000 (one million, two hundred thousand, Naira, only;

“The people of Igbatoro Familugba, Ajegunle, Bolorunduro, Egbeta, OjuMola, Ago—Ada, Obatedo, Asaboro, Ago~Alhaji, Araromi Camp, Sunday Camp, Power line Camp, Ago—Dada and Ala Elefosan in Akure North Local Government of Ondo State are predominantly farmers producing Agricultural Produce in large commercial quantity.

“Alarmed that on 6 of March, 2025 herdsmen attacked some villages in Igbatoro Familugba Community on Sunday and Alhajido Camps, killing nine helpless persons in the middle of the night, machete those trying to escape and burnt down their houses.

“Disturbed that the attack started last Monday, but the most severe assault happened On Fridayfight wheré the bandits struck while people were asleep, opening firé–indiscriminately, many ran into the bush, while some were not so lucky”.

He stated that the attack by the armed herdsmen has caused immense suffering, trauma and devastation to the affected families and the community at large; even as he expressed worries that perpetrators of this atrocity have shown no regard for human life, dignity, or the rule of law.

“Also aware that Section of 14 (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 provides that it is the responsibility of the Federal Government to protect the lives and properties of its citizens;

“Cognizant of the need to take measures to prevent future occurrences of such violence and ensure the safety and security of all citizens”, he added.

The House observe a minute silence In honour of those that lost their lives, and directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to send relief materials to affected victims.

The House further mandated its Committee on National Security and Intelligence to investigate massive massacre and kidnapping at Igbatoro Familugba Community by Fulani Herdsmen and report within four (4) weeks for further legislative action.