Author: TheLagosianMagazine

By Kolawole Omotola Olaide A Federal High Court in Lagos has convicted 11 Indian sailors and their merchant vessel, MV Aruna Hulya, for trafficking cocaine into Nigeria through the Apapa Port in Lagos State. The judgment follows the successful prosecution of the crew members and the vessel by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) after 31.5 kilograms of cocaine were discovered aboard the ship earlier this year. The vessel and its crew were arrested on January 2, 2026, when NDLEA operatives uncovered the illicit substance concealed in one of the ship’s compartments at the GDNL Terminal in Apapa. Investigators…

By Kolawole Omotola Olaide Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has accused the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of taking steps that could undermine Nigeria’s democratic institutions and weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections. In a Democracy Day message released on Thursday in Abuja, Atiku expressed concern over what he described as a steady decline in democratic values, warning that the country may be drifting away from the ideals that inspired the June 12 struggle. According to the former vice president, opposition political parties have faced increasing pressure…

A violent mob attack linked to allegations of a same-sex relationship has been reported in Lagos, raising fresh concerns about mob justice, public safety, and human rights. The incident, which occurred on Friday, March 13, 2026, involved two women— Adeyinka Enitan and her alleged partner, identified as Bukunmi Oguntade—who were reportedly attacked by a group of individuals at a private residence. According to eyewitness accounts, the assailants forcefully gained entry into the apartment, physically assaulted both women, and recorded the incident while calling for it to be circulated publicly. The attack reportedly escalated into a public spectacle, with the victims…

By Kolawole Omotola Olaide The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, has expressed concern over the increasing influence of money in Nigeria’s electoral process, revealing that some governorship aspirants spend as much as N20 billion to N30 billion in their quest to secure political office. Olukoyede made the disclosure on Wednesday while delivering a lecture at the University of Ilorin in Kwara State. The event, organized by the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, focused on preparations and challenges ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to the EFCC chairman, the escalating cost of political…

By Kolawole Omotola Olaide A witness to the recent abduction of pupils in Ahoro-Esiele community, Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State, has recounted how the attackers moved the children after invading the school on May 16, 2026. Speaking during an interview with News Central TV, Kehinde Akintola described the operation carried out by the bandits, saying they arrived in the community on motorcycles before launching the attack on the school. According to her, the assailants not only came with their motorcycles but also forcefully took motorcycles belonging to residents, which were later used to transport some of the abducted…

By Bimbo Esho When the history of Nigeria’s indigenous music is written with authenticity and accuracy, one name that will always stand out is Benson Idonije. I was in my twenties when I first began following the works of this remarkable man. My father had spoken extensively about him, especially when I embarked on my final-year project on Highlife music. According to him, my research would be incomplete if I did not interview Benson Idonije. Naturally, I became curious about this highly respected figure whose name was mentioned with such reverence. My dad explained that Benson Idonije had played a…

L-R: Vice Chancellor, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Prof Adebayo Bamire; Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Hon Bello Adejare, Chairman of Green Energy International Limited, Prof Anthony Adegbulugbe and Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof Ade Aderounmu, during the presentation of the OAU’s 65th Anniversary Award of Excellence to Adegbulugbe at Ile-Ife, Osun State … on Monday.

By Peter Omopo Controversial relationship coach and social media personality, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has expressed optimism despite being remanded in custody over fraud charges brought against her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The social media influencer was remanded at the Kirikiri Correctional Centre pending the perfection of her bail conditions after pleading not guilty to multiple charges filed against her by the anti-graft agency. Reacting to the development in a series of posts shared on her Instagram page on Wednesday, Blessing CEO maintained her innocence and described the ongoing legal battle as a…

By Peter Omopo The Zamfara State Police Command has recorded a significant breakthrough in its ongoing campaign against banditry, following the neutralisation of a notorious bandit kingpin during a coordinated security operation in Gummi Local Government Area of the state. The operation, conducted by operatives of the Police Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU), also resulted in the arrest of three suspected bandits and the recovery of firearms and motorcycles believed to have been used for criminal activities. According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Yazid Abubakar, the operation was carried out on June 9, 2026,…

By Peter Omopo British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has strongly condemned the recent outbreak of violence in Belfast, describing the disturbances as unacceptable and warning that those responsible would face the full weight of the law. Reacting to the unrest, Starmer expressed concern over the scenes that unfolded in parts of the Northern Ireland capital, stressing that violence and intimidation have no place in a democratic society. The Prime Minister said there could be no justification for the disorder, particularly incidents in which individuals were reportedly targeted because of their ethnic background or identity. He emphasised that such actions undermine…