Speaking during deliberations at the plenary session held on Monday, the lawmakers urged the state government to adequately equip and train the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps and other local security outfits to improve surveillance and help prevent the vandalism of roads, bridges and other public facilities.

The Assembly also warned that efforts to tackle the problem should not end with the arrest of suspected vandals, insisting that individuals and businesses that buy, sell or profit from stolen government property should also be investigated and prosecuted.

The demands followed a motion moved by the lawmaker representing Ikorodu II, Moshood Aro, during plenary, after concerns were raised over the vandalism of public infrastructure, particularly in FESTAC.

Aro said the destruction of facilities provided with taxpayers’ money was imposing a double financial burden on residents, who ultimately had to fund their repair or replacement.

“It baffles me that some residents of Lagos ought to be experiencing this kind of situation, knowing that we are paying for these facilities with our money,” Aro said.

He argued that government could not continue to spend public funds on infrastructure only for the same facilities to be destroyed and require additional expenditure for repairs.

“Public funds are being used to provide these facilities, and when they are damaged or vandalised, public funds are again required to repair them. This places an additional burden on taxpayers,” he said.

Aro called for closer scrutiny of businesses and individuals purchasing scrap materials from suspected vandals, arguing that the illegal market for stolen public assets must be disrupted if infrastructure vandalism is to be effectively tackled.

He also urged authorities to ensure that suspects arrested over vandalism were properly prosecuted rather than released without legal consequences.

According to him, “persons arrested for vandalising public infrastructure should not be released without proper prosecution and, where found guilty, should be sentenced accordingly.”

The lawmaker said the response to the problem also required stronger coordination among government agencies, security bodies and communities.

“We, as citizens and representatives of the people, need to take this matter seriously. All the relevant agencies need to sit down, collaborate and respond appropriately to these challenges,” he said.

The Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, supported the call for stronger enforcement, saying the government needed to deal with both the people who vandalise public facilities and those who facilitate the trade in stolen materials.

Obasa also urged ministries, departments and agencies responsible for enforcing environmental and infrastructure-related laws to ensure that the relevant legislation was properly disseminated and effectively implemented.

He called for greater support for local security structures, including the Neighbourhood Watch and the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps, saying they could play a more effective role in detecting and preventing criminal activities if provided with adequate resources.

The Assembly’s intervention puts emphasis on prevention as well as prosecution, with lawmakers seeking to strengthen the capacity of community-level security personnel to identify suspicious activities before public facilities are damaged.

The lawmakers argued that better equipment, training and funding would improve the ability of local security outfits to provide intelligence and surveillance within communities, while the police and other appropriate agencies handle criminal investigations and prosecution.

Contributing to the debate, Lawal Olumegbon called for closer cooperation between the state government and the 20 local government areas and 37 local council development areas to address infrastructure vandalism at the community level.

Similarly, Stephen Ogundipe said the problem was not confined to one constituency, noting that the destruction of public infrastructure was affecting communities across Lagos State.

The Assembly’s position comes amid concerns over vandalism in FESTAC, where public infrastructure has been targeted, and wider calls for residents to take greater responsibility for facilities in their communities.

The lawmakers therefore urged the government to combine stronger local surveillance with effective prosecution and sanctions, particularly against the wider network that profits from stolen public infrastructure.

A coalition of opposition political parties and stakeholders under the G-100 platform is set to convene a summit in Abuja on August 18, 2026, as part of efforts to forge greater unity among Nigeria’s opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The summit follows a series of consultations between representatives of the G-100 and leaders of six opposition political parties, including the African Democratic Congress, Allied Peoples Movement, National Democratic Congress, Peoples Democratic Party, Peoples Redemption Party and Social Democratic Party.

In a statement issued on Monday and signed by Salihu Lukman on behalf of G-100, the group said the consultations had created a basis for deeper discussions on how the opposition could work together to present a credible alternative to Nigerians in 2027.

The statement, titled “G100: Consultations with opposition leaders set stage for unity summit,” said representatives of the group had met with the national chairmen, presidential candidates and running mates of the opposition parties.

The consultations, according to the group, were deliberately conducted away from the media to enable the political actors to discuss sensitive issues freely without the pressure of public scrutiny.

“We have deliberately kept these consultations away from the glare of the media, in recognition of the sensitivity of many of the discussions and the need to allow party leaders to engage frankly and constructively without the pressure of premature public commentary,” the statement read.

The G-100 said a common position emerged from the meetings, particularly on the need for opposition parties to overcome their differences and establish a more coordinated political front ahead of the 2027 elections.

“Across these conversations, there has been a clear recognition of the need for Nigeria’s opposition parties to work more closely together ahead of the 2027 general elections,” it said.

The group, however, acknowledged that achieving opposition unity would require considerable concessions from the parties and their leaders.

It said the leaders consulted recognised that a credible and effective opposition could only emerge through “sacrifice, compromise and a willingness to place the larger interests of the country above narrow partisan or individual considerations.”

The proposed August 18 summit is expected to provide a platform for the participating parties to begin discussions on the modalities for greater political cooperation.

The G-100 stressed that it would not impose any particular outcome on the parties, but would instead facilitate discussions and help build confidence among the various political interests.

“The G-100 does not presume to dictate the outcome of these conversations. Our role is to facilitate dialogue, build confidence and help create the conditions in which the participating political parties can openly consider the difficult questions of cooperation, sacrifice, accommodation and collective action,” the group said.

It added that any agreement reached by the opposition parties must take into account the legitimate interests of the various political organisations while placing the broader interests of Nigerians above individual or partisan ambitions.

The summit is also expected to draw from the principles contained in the Ibadan Declaration, particularly its call for Nigeria’s opposition to find a credible pathway towards presenting a sole candidate in the 2027 elections.

The G-100 said it was encouraged by what it described as a convergence of views among the opposition leaders consulted so far, but noted that political goodwill must now be translated into a workable framework.

The group said preparations for the summit were already underway in consultation with representatives of the participating parties.

It pledged that the process would be “deliberate, inclusive and anchored on mutual respect,” stressing that sustainable political cooperation could not be imposed on political parties.

The latest initiative comes amid growing efforts by opposition political actors to build a broad coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

With several opposition parties and prominent political figures positioning themselves for the next general elections, questions over possible alliances, common candidates, power-sharing arrangements and the structure of any coalition have increasingly become central to opposition politics.

The G-100 said its initiative was based on the belief that a fragmented opposition could struggle to provide an effective electoral challenge, regardless of the strength of individual parties or candidates.

“The central argument of the Doctrine of Necessary Democratic Opposition remains unchanged: Nigeria’s democracy is strengthened when citizens are presented with a credible alternative capable of competing effectively for their mandate,” it said.

The group argued that continued fragmentation among opposition parties would undermine efforts to provide such an alternative.

“At this critical moment in our national journey, fragmentation among those seeking to provide that alternative serves neither the opposition nor the Nigerian people,” the statement added.

The group noted that the consultations conducted over the past week represented only the beginning of what could become a longer process of negotiations among opposition parties.

It called for patience, courage and sacrifice from political leaders, while reaffirming its commitment to facilitating the process in good faith and in the broader interest of Nigeria’s democracy.

“The task ahead will require patience, courage and, above all, sacrifice,” the group said.

The August 18 summit could therefore become an important test of the willingness of the opposition parties to move beyond individual political interests and explore a common platform ahead of the 2027 elections.

The development is coming as the political parties upload details of their presidential candidates and running mates on the Independent National Electoral Commission portal.

The engagement, the fourth in a series of stakeholder consultations on the proposed Lagos State Freight Policy and Regulatory Framework, brought together representatives of freight unions and industry associations to identify operational problems that should be addressed by the policy, the agency announced over the weekend.

Held under the theme, “Smart freight for a thriving Lagos,” the session focused on issues including regulatory duplication, illegal charges, truck staging, digital integration and road safety.

The Managing Director of LAMATA, Abimbola Akinajo, represented by the agency’s Technical Adviser, Planning, Osa Konyeha, said the proposed framework was not intended to impose additional financial obligations on freight operators.

Rather, she said, the objective was to simplify regulatory processes, remove unnecessary delays and ultimately reduce the cost of moving goods within the state.

The assurance comes against the backdrop of the multiple agencies, regulations and operational requirements that freight operators encounter as they move cargo through Lagos, particularly within the state’s complex logistics and port environment.

The consultation therefore sought to capture the experience of operators who deal directly with those processes and identify areas where government intervention could improve freight movement.

Consultants working on the policy, Gboyega Odunlami and Ogochukwu Ugboma of ITS/FAOCON, led the discussions and review of stakeholders’ submissions.

Among those who participated were Mohammed Sani of the Association of Maritime Truck Owners, Yinka Onigbinde of the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria, Alade Shabi of the National Association of Freight Forwarders and Air Console Agents and Olanrewaju Majekodunmi of the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers.

The stakeholders were also nominated as representatives for the forthcoming synthesis workshop, where recommendations from the various consultations will be reviewed and consolidated.

The latest engagement is part of a broader consultation process through which LAMATA has been examining different parts of Lagos’ freight ecosystem.

The first session brought together government ministries, departments and agencies as well as enforcement bodies, with discussions centred on inter-agency coordination and overlapping regulatory responsibilities.

The second focused on private logistics operators, freight companies and cargo owners, particularly the operational difficulties associated with logistics and access to the ports.

The third brought together professional organisations, including the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and the Chartered Institute of Transport Administration, alongside academics, civil society organisations and development partners such as the Agence Française de Développement.

That session examined issues including digital integration, environmental sustainability and safety standards.

The fourth consultation, by focusing specifically on freight unions and industry associations, provides LAMATA with the perspective of operators and professional stakeholders who interact directly with the existing freight system.

The recommendations emerging from the consultations will be incorporated into the proposed policy framework, which LAMATA said is intended to create a freight transport system that is more efficient, safer and competitive.

The authority said the stakeholder-driven approach was aimed at ensuring that the final framework responds to practical conditions in Lagos rather than being developed solely from a regulatory perspective.

Momodu disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, insisting that opposition parties must set aside individual interests and align behind Adeleke ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state.

The former presidential aspirant said he remained a proud member of the ADC.

He explained that he joined the party on the basis that prominent opposition figures decided to form a broad coalition against what he described as the “APC cankerworm.”

“I joined ADC on the basis that prominent members of opposition parties in Nigeria decided to form a broad coalition of forces against the APC cankerworm that has almost destroyed our economy, social cohesion, religious tolerance and democratic institutions and separation of powers,” the statement read.

Momodu said he had prayed against a clash of egos among opposition figures.

He added that he had hoped the coalition would not need to start afresh, since the ADC had earlier paraded the second, third and fourth-placed candidates in the 2023 presidential election.

“I had prayed fervently against the demon, and clash, of voluptuous egos. I wished we won’t have to reinvent the wheels since the ADC initially paraded the second, third and fourth leading candidates in the 2023 presidential election,” he said.

He, however, said the coalition did not eventually materialise as envisaged.

He said he had nonetheless not given up hope that Nigerians would rise against the APC.

“Unfortunately, it did not turn out to be so. But I still did not give up on the hope that Nigerians, not just the parties, would rise up massively against the APC menace,” he said.

Momodu said the time had come for opposition parties to confront reality and act with practical commonsense, adding that his decision to back a candidate outside his own party was informed by the situation in Osun State.

“It would be foolhardy not to see that with the manner APC has turned Osun State into a theater of war, the only sensible strategy is for all opposition parties to align immediately and back the Accord Party candidate, Governor Ademola Adeleke.

“I make this declaration without equivocation, or any fear of contradiction,” the statement read.

He insisted that his endorsement of Adeleke was not informed by friendship or family ties.

He described the governor as a global phenomenon who could defeat President Bola Tinubu in a popularity contest.

“This is not based on friendship or family ties. Governor Adeleke has been a global phenomenon who would easily defeat President Tinubu himself in a popularity contest,” he said.

Momodu further described Adeleke as primus inter pares among Nigerian governors, citing his performance across several sectors.

“Adeleke is primus inter pares amongst Nigerian Governors, in order of extraordinary performance in infrastructure, health, education, staff welfare, labour unions, IGR, agriculture, commerce, culture, women empowerment, youth integration, etc,” the statement read.

Momodu warned that opposition parties should avoid handing the APC any excuse to manipulate the outcome of the election.

“We should never supply the APC an easy alibi to rig the Osun gubernatorial election on August 15, 2026,” he said.

Credit for house purchases by households rose to 9.6 index points in the second quarter of 2026 (Q2’26), indicating a notable increase in borrowing by Nigerians to acquire personal homes.

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) disclosed this in its Credit Condition Survey Report for Q2’26, noting that financial institutions reported an overall growth in credit availability across secured, unsecured, and corporate lending categories during the period.

Lenders also recorded lower default rates across major categories.Respondents in the survey reported that credit demand increased to 15.1 index points for secured lending and 15.2 index points for corporate lending, while unsecured lending remained subdued at -1.2 index points.

Within the household segment, consumer loans increased to 11.2 index points, credit for house purchases rose to 9.6 index points, mortgage or re-mortgage lending grew to 13.3 index points, and small business lending to households increased to 26.4 index points. Regarding unsecured household credit, demand for overdraft facilities and personal loans grew to 7.9 index points, whereas credit card lending from households declined to -2.0 index points.

In the corporate sector, credit demand expanded across various business sizes, rising to 26.5 index points for small businesses, 25.5 index points for Medium Private Non-Financial Corporations (PNFCs), and 8.9 index points for Large PNFCs.

Meanwhile, credit demand for Other Financial Corporations (OFCs) remained unchanged at 0.0 index points.The apex bank added that commercial lenders observed a widespread decline in default rates across secured and unsecured loans, as well as throughout all corporate borrower categories, including small businesses, medium and large PNFCs, and OFCs.

President Bola Tinubu has said about 147 structures in Lagos State will be affected by the construction of the service lane for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, with only five earmarked for complete demolition.

He made the disclosure during a stakeholders’ engagement held alongside the flag-off of rehabilitation works on the Eko and Marine bridges and repairs to a flood-damaged section of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

Represented by Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the President explained that the remaining 142 structures would experience only minimal impact.

He assured owners of affected properties that the Federal Government would provide compensation where applicable and urged them to remain patient.

“It will be given to you at the right time,” he said.Tinubu noted that the engagement was meant to foster public understanding and cooperation, stressing that community support was essential for the successful execution of the infrastructure projects.

He described the Eko Bridge as one of the major bridges built in the post-independence era and highlighted the importance of the Marine Bridge as a key access route to the Lagos seaports.

He also commended Minister of Works David Umahi for efforts to expand and rehabilitate Nigeria’s road infrastructure.Appealing for cooperation, Tinubu said: “For all of us to enjoy the full benefit of infrastructure, we have to shift a bit, so that it becomes an asset that will outlive all of us.”

The figure of 147 affected structures was presented during the engagement by a representative of the AEC consortium involved in the project.

Tinubu reiterated that the Federal Government welcomed constructive criticism but urged stakeholders to support well-planned projects that benefit the public.

Fifteen passengers were burnt to d3ath when an 18-seater bus was involved in a fatal road crash along the Enagi-Cistain Duma Road in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State.

The accident occurred on Saturday, August 8, 2026 at a sharp bend around Costain Duma, where the bus reportedly caught fire, trapping the passengers inside.

An eyewitness, Ahmed Ndagana, who confirmed the incident, said the vehicle was engulfed in flames shortly after the crash, leaving the occupants with little chance of escape.

According to him, about 15 passengers were burnt to d3ath inside the vehicle, while the circumstances surrounding the crash were still being established.

Although the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has confirmed the d3ath toll, details about the identities of the victims and the exact cause of the crash were not immediately available.

Ndagana urged motorists, particularly commercial drivers, to exercise greater caution when navigating sharp bends, especially during the rainy season when road conditions can become hazardous.

He commended the FRSC and local volunteers for their prompt intervention following the crash.

It was learnt that the remains of the 15 victims were later given a mass burial in the area.

At the time of filing this report, further details from the police were not immediately available.