News
Protest: NLC warns against police violence, threatens to shutdown Nigeria
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, and the police handed down the warnings as 65 civil society groups on Sunday pulled out of the planned demonstration, warning against its possible hijack, arguing that it could worsen the deteriorating situation.
The NLC President, Joe Ajaero, had insisted in a statement on Sunday that the protest would be held on Tuesday and Wednesday as planned.
On February 16, the NLC announced the nationwide protest scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday over the alleged government’s failure to implement agreements reached between both parties on October 2, 2023, following the removal of the fuel subsidy.
The decision followed the conclusion of a 14-day ultimatum issued to the Federal Government to implement measures against the widespread hardship.
But addressing NLCS’s decision to proceed with the protest despite entreaties from various agencies and groups, Onanuga, in an interview described it as a “breach of the law” and an “illegal undertaking.’’
He said, “The attorney-general has written the NLC’s lawyer that the protest is illegal. So, they are breaching a court order if they want to go on with the protest.
“We are not aware of any plans to disrupt the protest, but what we can confirm is that they (NLC) are breaching an extant rule by a competent court that they should not go on protest. The protest itself is illegal. So, the NLC should bear that in mind.”
Warning the NLC on its course of action, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Adegoke Fayoade, said the command would not condone any form of violence during the planned protest.
Adegoke in a statement cautioned the protesters against disrupting commercial activities, and vehicular movements in the state, adding that anyone found violating the rights of others during the rally would face legal repercussions.
The statement read, “The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade, has assured Lagosians that the command has put necessary measures in place to ensure the safety of lives and property, the free flow of traffic, and a peaceful environment for carrying out their respective lawful duties.;;
He advised protesters against, “an action capable of grounding commercial activities and obstructing the free flow of traffic.
“The command will live up to its mandate of ensuring that no person or group of persons is allowed to infringe on the fundamental human rights of others, especially the rights to freedom of movement and the right to dignity of human persons.
“CP Adegoke, therefore, warns all intending protesters that anyone found infringing on the rights of other Nigerians will be dealt with in accordance with the law.’’
Ekiti police
Similarly, the Police Commissioner in Ekiti State, Adeniran Akinwale, said the force would not allow a breakdown of the rule of law in the state during the protest.
Akinwale, who harped on the need for peace in Ekiti State and Nigeria, said, “I have a role to play, my own is to ensure that there is peace and tranquillity in Ekiti State. In any situation that comes, we monitor and if there is anything, we respond accordingly. But our own job is to monitor to ensure that there is no problem.
“We appeal to people not to truncate the peace Ekiti people are witnessing because the present economic situation is not palatable, however, it is not peculiar to Nigeria or Ekiti alone, so we will just continue to pray for improvement in the economic situation in Nigeria.’’
The Delta State Police Command disclosed its plan to deploy personnel to maintain law and order during the protest.
Revealing this in an interview with one of our correspondents on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Bright Edafe, said, “We will do our normal deployment of officers to maintain law and order. The command will issue a statement tomorrow to that effect.”
On its part, the Kaduna State police command asked the NLC to shelve the protest in the state.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mansir Hassan, hinged his plea on the precarious situation in the state.
He, however, noted that should the NLC t protest, the command would provide the necessary cover for them, warning the protesters to be law-abiding.
Hassan said, “The command is appealing that the protest should not even hold. They should understand the nature of Kaduna and that it is not everywhere they should come and protest.
“We have enjoyed relative peace in the state. We will provide adequate security for them and we are appealing to be law abiding. Although we have had a cordial relationship with the NLC for a long but if they insist, we will give them the necessary cover.
“They should know that where their rights stop, that is where other people’s rights start. In fact, we are evening appealing that the protest should not hold. We are calling on the hoodlums to desist from infiltrating into the NLC protest.”
Concerned by the possible hijacking of the rally, 65 civil society groups under the aegis of Coalition of Civil Society Organisations Forum, said it would no longer participate in the demonstration.
The group said this a few days after the Department of State Services appealed to the labour to shelve the protest on the grounds it could be hijacked by fifth columnist to cause chaos in the country.
The group in a joint statement by its Coordinator, Buba Mohammed and Secretary, George Phillips, on Sunday, also said it was making “frantic efforts” to meet with the government and amicably resolve the issues at stake.
“Any attempt to embark on a nationwide strike during these critical period of hunger and harsh economy could be hijacked by hoodlums and criminal elements, who have been waiting for the slightest opportunity to unleash terror; disrupt public peace, loot business premises and markets,’’ it said.
NLC allegation
Reacting to the development, the NLC President, Ajaero, claimed that the forum was “one of the emergency groups put together, funded, promoted and remote-controlled by the government to cause violence against our members for electing to peacefully protest against the hunger in the land.”
The president insisted that the protest would hold in line with the decision of the NLC national executive council, adding that “the pangs of hunger cannot be vowed by bullets or tear gas.”
In a statement on Sunday, the labour leader alleged a plot to attack the protest, warning that there would be a total shutdown if attacks or violence were unleashed on peaceful protesters.
He admonished the government to find solutions to the challenges plaguing the country.
He noted, “In light of this, we advise the state to put on its thinking cap and find solutions to the pains it continues to cause the people instead of further dehumanising them.”
“However, if it is irrevocably set on the path of violence against us and other peace-loving Nigerians, it will be making a costly mistake because if we are attacked there will be a total shutdown via withdrawal of services by workers. Let no one be deceived, we and other deprived Nigerians cannot easily be intimidated.’’
The congress told the African Union and the United Nations that the right of the people to ‘’peacefully protest and demand for freedom from economic slavery and hardship is being threatened by the Nigerian state.”
Five persons, including four male students and a young woman, have reportedly lost their lives in a fatal road accident involving a vehicle in the convoy of Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, in Minna, the state capital.
The tragic incident occurred on Monday at Gidan Mangoro community along the Minna–Bida Road when a Hilux van attached to the governor’s convoy reportedly collided head-on with a private Peugeot 206 car.
The female victim, identified as Mrs Nafisa, was reportedly driving the Peugeot when the accident occurred. She was said to be a Programme Manager at Labspace, an NGO, and founder of Wosh Mart Service Ltd.
According to Vanguard, an eyewitness and resident of Gidan Mangoro, Abdullahi Musa, said the accident happened at approximately 11:35 a.m. while the governor and his entourage were returning from Bida.
Bago had reportedly visited the Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, to commiserate with him over the death of Sagi Nupe, Hajia Aisha.
Musa alleged that the accident resulted from wrongful overtaking by the Hilux driver, claiming that the government vehicle veered into the lane of the oncoming Peugeot.
“The accident was caused by wrongful overtaking by the Hilux in the governor’s convoy. The other car was in its lane when the Hilux rammed into it,” he said.
The four male occupants of the Peugeot were suspected to be postgraduate students of the Federal University of Technology, Minna.
A staff member of Minna General Hospital, where the victims were evacuated, disclosed that three persons died at the scene, while two others later succumbed to their injuries.
Some of the injured victims were subsequently transferred to the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida Specialist Hospital for further medical attention.
A former local government chairman in Niger State, who was reportedly travelling in the Hilux, also sustained fractures to his legs but was said to be alive as of the time of the report.
Confirming the incident, the Niger State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Aishat Sa’adu, said personnel of the agency arrived at the accident scene after the victims had already been evacuated.
Similarly, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the crash, stating that investigations had commenced to establish the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
“The accident occurred this morning and we are investigating it,” Abiodun said.
The police, however, did not immediately release the identities of the deceased or officially confirm the casualty figure.
Clarify the confirmed casualty figure
Remove repeated accident attribution
Use more cautious identification language
By Chinedu Sabastine
Mainpower Electricity Distribution Limited (MEDL) has announced a planned power outage in Nsukka and surrounding communities from November 5 to 10, 2026, to enable the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) to carry out maintenance work on equipment at its Nsukka station.
The outage, scheduled to run daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., will affect electricity supply to customers served by the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), SUMAS and Orba 33kV feeders.
The announcement comes amid a current reduction in electricity supply across Enugu State, which MEDL has attributed to a drop in energy generation and low system frequency, forcing TCN to implement load shedding.
In a public notice issued on Monday, MEDL’s Head of Communications, Emeka Ezeh, said the planned maintenance was necessary to improve electricity supply in the affected areas.
“The planned outage is to enable the TCN technical team to carry out maintenance work on some equipment at the station,” Ezeh said.
He added that the exercise was aimed at improving the reliability and quality of electricity supply to customers.
The communities expected to experience interruptions include Ukopi, Opi Agu, Eha-Alumona, Orba Town, Obollo-Afor, parts of Obollo-Eke, Enugu Ezike, Ibagwa, Nkalagu Obukpa, Okpaligbo, Iheaka, Edem Ani, Agbani, Uzo-Uwani, Obimo, Nkpologu, Lejja, Nguru, Aku and Ogbede.
Other affected locations are Odim Gate, Nkpor, UNN, Nru, Ede Oballa, El Tabera Estate, Ikenga Estate, Wilson Company, Umakashi, Isiakpu, G.R.A. and Ogige Main Market, alongside surrounding communities.
MEDL apologised to customers over the anticipated inconvenience and appealed for their patience and understanding during the maintenance period.
“The exercise is necessary to facilitate essential technical work aimed at improving the reliability and quality of electricity supply to customers,” the company said.
Why electricity supply has dropped
In a separate public notice issued on Monday, the company explained that the current reduction in electricity supply across Enugu State resulted from a decline in energy generation, which had affected the stability of the power system.
MEDL said the situation had resulted in low system frequency, prompting TCN to ration available electricity through load shedding.
“The current reduction in power supply availability is due to a drop in energy generation, which has resulted in low system frequency,” the company stated.
It added that the situation had necessitated TCN’s decision to implement load shedding of the available energy.
“Consequently, the energy allocation to MEDL has been affected, limiting its ability to meet the daily service-level commitments,” the statement said.
The company, however, assured customers that it was monitoring the situation and distributing the available electricity allocation across its network.
“MEDL wishes to assure its customers that it is closely monitoring the situation and will continue to distribute the available energy allocation fairly across its network,” Ezeh said.
The company expressed optimism that normal electricity supply would soon be restored, while regretting the inconvenience caused by the reduction in supply.
It also thanked customers for their patience, understanding and continued cooperation.
Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, has taken steps to address the rising cost of renting accommodation in the state by forwarding an executive bill to the State House of Assembly seeking to regulate agency and legal fees charged by property agents and lawyers.
The proposed legislation seeks to amend the Landlord and Tenant Law, Cap. 101, Revised Laws of Enugu State, 2004, with a view to protecting tenants from excessive charges while ensuring fairness and transparency in the property market.
Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Uche Ugwu, disclosed this in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Monday, October 26, 2026.
Ugwu explained that the executive bill would complement an earlier legislative proposal sponsored by the member representing Nkanu East State Constituency, Hon. Anthony Okey Mbah, which had already passed first and second readings and undergone a public hearing.
According to the Speaker, the proposed amendment would introduce measures to regulate estate agents, place limits on agency and legal fees, and establish clear procedures for the collection and refund of caution fees.
The legislation also seeks to check arbitrary rent increases and minimise disagreements between landlords and tenants over property damage through joint inventories and professional valuations where necessary.
Ugwu noted that the Assembly would harmonise the proposals to produce comprehensive legislation that addresses longstanding concerns in the state’s housing sector.
“When we are done with dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s, we shall have a document that shall make tenancy-related charges more transparent and predictable, control and limit agency and legal fees, establish a formal regulatory framework for agents,” he stated.
He added that the proposed law would provide a structured mechanism for handling caution fees and refunds while creating an enabling environment for investors in the housing sector.
The development comes amid growing concerns among residents over the financial burden associated with securing rented accommodation, particularly agency commissions, legal charges and other tenancy-related payments.
The Speaker maintained that the initiative was consistent with Governor Mbah’s broader development agenda of positioning Enugu as an attractive destination for investment, business, tourism and residential living.
“According to the Governor’s vision, indeed we can make Enugu the preferred destination for business, investment, tourism and living,” Ugwu added.
The proposed amendment, when passed into law, is expected to provide a clearer legal framework governing the relationship between landlords, tenants and property agents across the state.
By Okey Maduforo, Awka
The ongoing modernisation of the Onitsha Main Market in Anambra State is expected to be completed ahead of the Christmas festivities, with over 6,000 shops and modern facilities designed to boost commercial activities in the historic market.
The project, which commenced two months ago, has reached 90 per cent completion and is being executed on a 24,000-square-metre expanse of land, with an Independent Power Plant (IPP) designed to provide uninterrupted electricity to the market and its environs.
Other facilities include five additional boreholes to complement the existing one, a health centre, modern toilet facilities, a motor park, solar-powered streetlights, CCTV surveillance cameras and four access roads.
The market will also feature three major entrance gates, eight minor gates and a dedicated firefighting station to enhance security and emergency response.
Speaking during an inspection of the project, the Commissioner for Housing, Arc. Henry Arinze, said the initiative was designed to provide a conducive business environment for traders and their customers.
“The project is aimed at providing ease of doing business for both traders and their customers, and with over 6,000 shops in the market, we are good to go,” he said.
Arinze explained that the project forms part of Governor Charles Soludo’s urban regeneration programme, adding that the provision of an Independent Power Plant would enable traders to extend commercial activities from the current closing time of 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
“We did not demolish the market shops. What we are carrying out is part of the urban regeneration programme of the state government. With the new facilities, the market will remain open until 10 p.m. as against the present 5 p.m. closing time,” he stated.
He further disclosed that construction activities were deliberately restricted to nighttime and Sundays to minimise disruptions to trading.
“We would have gone farther than this, but we work only at night and on Sundays so that traders can continue their businesses while construction is ongoing,” he explained.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser to Governor Soludo on Projects Monitoring, Prof. Ebuka Nwankwo, recalled that the market had not witnessed any major government-led modernisation since its post-civil-war reconstruction in 1971 under the administration of the then Sole Administrator of East Central State, the late Ukpabi Asika, with assistance from the Federal Government.
According to him, the market has experienced four major fire incidents since its reconstruction, with affected traders largely undertaking the rebuilding of their shops themselves.
“Since 1971, when the market was reconstructed after the war, there have been four fire incidents, with traders carrying out the reconstruction of their affected shops. The state government is not only desirous but deliberate about restoring the past glory of the market,” Nwankwo said.
The Head of Civil and Structural Engineering, Prof. Henry Aginam, commended the Anambra State Government for embarking on the project, describing it as a bold intervention in the redevelopment of the commercial hub.
He expressed satisfaction with the quality of construction materials and the calibre of professionals engaged in executing the project.
Similarly, the representative of the Council for the Regulation of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN), Engr. Prof. Akaolisa Ezeadi, gave the project a positive assessment, noting that the construction work complied with professional standards and engineering best practices.
Ezeadi said the regulatory body was satisfied with the quality of work so far and would continue its monitoring visits until the project was completed.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Nonso Ebonwu, described the market modernisation as a major step towards reviving the commercial fortunes of Onitsha and attracting increased patronage from within and outside Nigeria.
He disclosed that a similar redevelopment initiative was also being undertaken at the Nkwo Nnewi Auto Parts Market.
The Chairman of the Onitsha Main Market Traders Association, Chief Chijioke Okpalaugo, expressed satisfaction with the transformation of the market, noting that patronage had continued to increase despite the ongoing construction.
He reaffirmed the traders’ support for the Soludo administration and expressed optimism that the completed project would further strengthen Onitsha Main Market’s position as one of the leading commercial centres in West Africa.
ENUGU, October 25, 2026 — A new association, Online Media Professionals (OMP), has been established to unite online media practitioners, protect their interests and promote professionalism in Nigeria’s media industry.
The association, according to a communiqué issued in Enugu on Sunday, aims to provide a common platform for practitioners to collaborate, share ideas and address challenges affecting their work and welfare.
OMP said the growing influence of online publications in informing the public, shaping public discourse and holding public officeholders accountable had made it necessary for practitioners to organise under a recognised professional body.
The association will bring together individuals who own or work with online media platforms, providing opportunities for cooperation, professional development and engagement with relevant institutions and stakeholders.
It also plans to establish working relationships with government officials, security agencies, educational institutions, corporate organisations and other bodies whose activities affect the media industry and society.
According to the communiqué, OMP is beginning its activities in the South-East, with plans to expand into a national organisation representing online media professionals across Nigeria.
The association said its long-term objectives included building a credible professional body capable of giving practitioners a collective voice, promoting responsible journalism and providing a platform for addressing issues affecting members.
It added that the growth of online media must be accompanied by professionalism, accountability and respect for the responsibilities associated with informing the public.
OMP also pledged to encourage cooperation among practitioners and promote standards capable of strengthening public confidence in online publications.
The association noted that achieving its objectives would require the commitment of members, a clear sense of purpose and programmes designed to address their needs.
It therefore called on online media practitioners across the South-East and other parts of the country to identify with the initiative and contribute to building a strong professional association.
Membership, according to the communiqué, is open to professionals who own or work with online media publication platforms and are willing to support the association’s objectives.
The communiqué was signed by Jude Chinedu and Chukwumerije Aja on behalf of the Communiqué Drafting Committee of Online Media Professionals.
The emergence of OMP marks an effort to strengthen the professional identity of online media practitioners and create opportunities for collaboration and growth within Nigeria’s evolving media landscape.
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