Some Lagos State residents on Monday staged a peaceful protest at the State House of Assembly over the incarceration of a community leader in Ajiran, Eti-Osa Local Government Area of the state, Hammed Tajudeen Akanbi.

DAILY POST reports that Akanbi is currently being detained over his alleged involvement in the death of Prince Ademola Akinloye and Sheriff Ishola Salami.

The legal team representing Akanbi had on Friday alleged bias in his ongoing trial, demanding a fresh and thorough investigation into the matter.

On Monday, a civil society group stormed the Lagos Assembly with placards, calling for the release of the community leader.

The protesters petitioned the Speaker of the Lagos Assembly, expressing concerns over the continuous detention of Akanbi and urging the authorities to “uphold the principles of justice, fairness and the rule of law”.

The group marched from Ikeja Shopping Mall to the State House of Assembly to deliver the letter.

According to them, investigations had allegedly failed to establish a direct connection between Akanbi and the murders, linking the matter to “disputes over community land and the distribution of proceeds from such lands”.

Copies of the petition were sent to the Governor of Lagos State, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, and the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission.

The CSO warned that if action is not taken within three days of receipt of the letter, it would embark on sustained street protests to press its demands.

Akanbi was apprehended in Cotonou, Benin Republic, on April 15, following the ongoing investigation into the murder cases.

A woman sustained serious injuries after she was knocked down by a hit-and-run driver along the Lekki-Epe Expressway in Lagos, with officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, LASTMA, rescuing and evacuating her for urgent medical treatment.

The incident occurred at EFF Bus Stop inward Marwa on the Lekki-Epe Expressway on Monday, according to a statement issued by the Director of Public Affairs and Enlightenment Department of LASTMA, Adebayo Taofiq.

The agency disclosed that the unidentified motorist fled the scene immediately after hitting the victim, leaving her lying helpless on the busy road with a fractured arm and leg.

LASTMA officials, who were on duty monitoring and controlling traffic within the area, quickly swung into action after the incident.

The traffic officers secured the victim from further danger, moved her away from the road, and contacted the Lagos State Ambulance Service, LASAMBUS, for emergency medical support.

The officials also carried out traffic control measures around the scene to prevent another accident and ensure free movement of vehicles along the corridor.

LASAMBUS officials later arrived at the scene and rushed the injured woman to the General Hospital, Odan, where she was admitted for urgent treatment and medical assessment.

Reacting to the incident, the General Manager of LASTMA, Mr. Olalekan Bakare-Oki, expressed concern over the increasing number of hit-and-run cases recorded on Lagos roads.

He described the act as both morally wrong and punishable under the law.

“Every motorist bears an inherent civic and moral obligation to uphold the sanctity of human life. Fleeing the scene of an accident after causing injury to another road user is not only an abdication of responsibility but also a grievous affront to humanity and the rule of law,” Bakare-Oki said.  

Bakare-Oki reaffirmed the commitment of the Agency to protecting lives and property through effective traffic management and rapid emergency response operations across the state.

He also commended the collaboration between LASTMA officials and LASAMBUS personnel, noting that their quick intervention played a key role in rescuing the victim and restoring normal traffic flow along the expressway.

The agency also advised motorists to be cautious while driving, comply with traffic laws, and quickly report road accidents or emergencies to the appropriate authorities for prompt intervention.

Suspected herdsmen ambushed and killed a health officer identified as Ojoma Emie in Ikobi, Apa Local Government Area of Benue State, on Monday morning.

DAILY POST gathered that Emie, a father of three who resided in Oloke, Ikobi, was returning from Ugbokpo town, where he had gone to purchase medicine, when the attackers allegedly ambushed him at Ugbobi Junction, a notorious spot along the Ikobi-Olegogba axis of the Ikobi-Ugbokpo road where residents say armed herders frequently lay ambush for travellers.

Sources said the assailants macheted him to death, severed his head and fled with it, leaving his headless body in a pool of blood.

The corpse was later discovered by residents of the community.

Confirming the incident, the Vice President of the Ikobi Progressive Forum, Dr. Edoh Ofugocho, told DAILY POST that residents became alarmed after hearing multiple gunshots from the area.

“Our people heard gunshots about 10 to 15 times. People immediately became apprehensive because they knew he was on his way to Ugbokpo to buy medicine. Later, it was discovered that he had been attacked and killed at Ugbobi Junction,” Ofugocho said.

He added that Emie was a health worker in the community and was married with children before his tragic death.

Ofugocho lamented that Ikobi had been subjected to repeated attacks by suspected herdsmen, alleging that little or no effort had been made by the relevant authorities to adequately protect residents.

He lamented, “We are deeply worried that this particular route has become a recurring ambush point for suspected herdsmen. Our people can no longer travel freely on roads within their own communities.

“The manner in which he was killed is heartbreaking. After taking his life, the attackers severed his head and fled with it. This level of brutality is difficult to comprehend.

“This is not the first time our people have come under attack. We have continued to cry out for improved security, but the attacks persist. Residents now live in constant fear.”

He disclosed that the deceased had since been buried and called for urgent security measures to end the persistent killings in the area.

“We call on security agencies and the government to take urgent steps to secure our communities and bring those responsible for this heinous act to justice,” Edo added.