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Local Residents beg FG as Osun, Ondo federal roads crumble

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Commuters and residents of Osun and Ondo states have decried the deplorable state of federal roads in the two states, calling for urgent government intervention.

In Osun, users of the Ilesa–Akure Expressway particularly lamented the Osu/Iwaraja corridor, describing it as a nightmare for motorists.

Speaking at Iloko Junction—one of the worst-hit portions of the road—a resident, Tomisin Olatunde, said the Federal Road Maintenance Agency had at different times patched bad spots, but such interventions provided only temporary relief.

“With what we are experiencing now, only complete removal and replacement of the asphalt can solve the problem. The road stretches from Ile-Ife to Osu, Ilesa and Iwaraja, linking Osun and Ondo states. Between March and June this year, several serious accidents were recorded between Iloko Junction and the Road Safety office along the expressway,” Olatunde said.

A driver, Razaq Akinleye, who has plied the road for 15 years, said the last major reconstruction was done before the 2015 elections. He described the ongoing expansion works from Ilekki, Ilesa, as “too little compared to the magnitude of the challenge.”

“FRSC officers even filled some bad portions earlier this year to prevent accidents, but that can’t solve the problem. Beyond mere clearing, we need a total overhaul of the road. The patching by FERMA only lasts about three months before the spots go bad again.

The bad portions also give robbers and kidnappers an advantage since vehicles must slow down there,” Akinleye lamented.

Osun State Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, said the state was already assisting in repairing some federal roads but urged Abuja to take full responsibility.

“We are involved in the repair of some FG roads in Osun. On that particular road, I want to urge the Federal Government to live up to its responsibility and fix it,” Alimi said.

Similarly, residents of communities along the Akure–Ado Ekiti Expressway in Ondo State appealed to both federal and state governments to expedite the ongoing reconstruction of the road.

The project, which commenced towards the end of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, has dragged on for years, worsening traffic congestion and making life difficult for residents. Before the project started, the road had become a death trap, with criminals exploiting its poor state to kidnap travellers for ransom.

During a recent inspection, Minister of Works, David Umahi, announced that the Akure–Ita-Ogbolu–Iju–Ado road would be redesigned and rebuilt with concrete.

But residents say the delay is unbearable. A native of the Iju community, Olamide Babalayo, urged the government to hasten the project.

“The last time I drove home was terrible. We commend the FG for taking action, but they should expedite the work. People in the community are suffering, especially during this rainy season,” he said.

A commercial driver, Kunle, stressed the road’s economic importance, saying transporters were spending excessively on vehicle repairs.

“The road is vital for business between Ondo and Ekiti states. The government should complete it on time so economic activities can flow better,” he said.

When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Ebenezer Adeniyan, acknowledged that the road is a federal responsibility but expressed optimism that the situation would soon improve.

“I think the situation will improve now that the rains have ceased,” he said.

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Lagos: Tears, chaos as bulldozers storm Oworonshoki at midnight, demolish more buildings

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Residents of the Ojulari community in Oworonshoki, Lagos, have raised fresh alarm after demolition teams reportedly returned late Saturday night to pull down more houses in the area.

It was gathered that the operation continued into the early hours of Sunday despite widespread protests and resistance.

Eyewitnesses told reporters on Sunday morning that at least two bulldozers were deployed for the exercise, accompanied by a large number of police officers.

According to residents, over 50 armed policemen fired teargas through the night to disperse those attempting to resist the demolition. They claimed the operation had not ceased as of early Sunday.

“We didn’t sleep at all. They came back in the night after we stopped them in the morning. Even now, Sunday morning, the demolition is still ongoing,” one resident, Olanrewaju Segun said.

“More than 50 police officers were shooting teargas at people protesting as they pulled down our homes. Many don’t know where to go. This is a grave injustice.”

Earlier on Saturday, residents had successfully blocked an initial attempt to demolish homes in the Udi Araba area, a densely populated section overlooking the Lagos Lagoon.

“They started demolishing without marking any building. We quickly mobilised and stopped them, and that was how they left in the morning. But we didn’t know they would return at midnight,” another resident said.

Some residents have accused the Oba of Oworonshoki, Oba Babatunde Saliu, of supporting the demolition to reclaim waterfront lands allegedly meant for private development.

However, the monarch has denied any involvement, stating that he too had previously suffered losses from a similar government-led exercise.

“I was also a victim when I unknowingly built on land that had been acquired by the government. I have no hand in any demolition,” he said.

The Baale of Oworonshoki, Chief Olorunwa Luwa, also condemned the ongoing exercise, insisting it was not sanctioned by any government authority.

“If this were a government-approved operation, it wouldn’t happen at midnight or 3 a.m. People with genuine property documents are losing their homes in this lawless exercise,” he said.

As of Sunday morning, residents said the demolitions were still ongoing, leaving scores of families homeless and in shock over what they described as “a coordinated night assault” on their community.

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‘Lagos Govt Property Demolition Was Not Authorized By Any Court’ – Falana

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Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), has stated that no court authorised the Lagos State government’s demolition exercise.

It was recalls that Justice Adegboyega Balogun of the Lagos State High Court issued an interim order stopping further demolition of properties in parts of Oworonsoki, after complaints by affected residents who denied receiving any compensation.

Justice Balogun granted a restraining order against the respondents and their agents or contractors, prohibiting further demolitions or the creation of third-party interests over properties located on Ojileru Street, Ososa Extension, and Toluwalase Street within the Itesiwaju Ajumoni Community Development Area (CDA).

In a statement on Sunday, Falana alleged that the Lagos State Government demolished no fewer than 100 properties in Oworonsoki despite a court restraining order.

According to Falana, he demolition exercise carried out in the dead of the night has led many families to be displaced.

The statement read, “In flagrant breach and contempt of the subsisting court order and upon the service of the court order on them, the defendants mobilised over 50 armed policemen and thugs who fired teargas throughout the night to disperse those protesting the demolition and proceeded to commence a fresh demolition.

“The demolition, which was carried out in the dead of the night, has led to the destruction of not less than 100 properties, with many families displaced. The action of the demolition squad was not authorised by any court.

“The action of the demolished squad is a sad reminder of the aggravated contempt committed by the Lagos State Government, 39 years ago, in the celebrated case of The Military Governor of Lagos State & Ors. v. Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu & Anor. (1986) 2 NWLR (PT 18) 621, where the Supreme Court set a precedent against disregard for due process and the rule of law.

Notwithstanding that the country was then under a military junta, the Supreme Court deprecated the action of the Lagos State Government in defying a court order and resorting to self-help.”

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Resident Doctors To Begin Indefinite Strike November 1

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The National Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has announced plans to commence an indefinite nationwide strike from November 1, 2025.

It was reports that the decision followed a five-hour meeting of the association’s National Executive Council (NEC) on Saturday.

In a statement on Sunday, NARD President, Dr Mohammad Suleiman, said the action became inevitable after the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum earlier issued to the Federal Government over unresolved demands.

The association is demanding a 200 percent increase in the Consolidated Medical Salary Structure (CONMESS), full implementation of new allowances proposed since July 2022, immediate recruitment of clinical staff, and removal of bottlenecks hindering the replacement of exiting doctors.

“The NEC has marshalled out minimum demands, strike monitoring directives, and ‘no work, no pay/no pay, no work’ resolutions needed for a successful execution of this action,” the statement partly read.

Suleiman explained that the National Officers Committee (NOC) has been mandated to ensure full compliance across all centres.

He added that centre presidents and general secretaries have been directed to convene emergency congress meetings to brief members on the resolutions.

The NARD president also accused some actors within and outside government of plotting against doctors.

He said, “We are aware of evil and exploitative plans against resident doctors, and the union will collectively resist such moves.”

Suleiman urged resident doctors to use the next few days to properly hand over patients, engage community and religious leaders, and sensitise the public ahead of the strike.

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