The Federal Government has begun evacuation and demolition of illegal structures beneath the Iddo Bridge in Lagos, citing serious safety concerns and risk of imminent collapse. The Minister of Works, Sen. Dave Umahi, gave the order while inspecting the bridge alongside structural engineers and officials of Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.

, on Sunday. Umahi expressed concern over the condition of the bridge which, he said, had been severely compromised by illegal human activities. He said: “We are here with bridge experts to examine the Iddo Bridge, which was burnt down due to unlawful occupation and activities beneath it. “People have converted the underpass into shops, warehouses, and even residential areas. “These activities have caused significant damage, to the extent that Julius Berger has advised that the bridge must be completely demolished and reconstructed.” He said that the Cowry Bridge and the Independence Bridge had also been affected by similar activities. According to the minister, attempts by the Federal Government to engage with the illegal occupants have met resistance, with some of them saying that the matter is before the court. “They have refused to vacate the premises. They wrote to us, claiming the matter is in court. “It appears that what they are selling is more important to them than the lives of Lagosians, but we cannot allow that,” Umahi said. Umahi directed the Federal Controller of Works in Lagos state, Mrs Olukorede Kesha, to ensure that all illegal structures beneath the bridge would be demolished before the close of business on Monday. “This is about saving lives. We must act to prevent the collapse of the bridge.“Beams have already been hit by vehicles, and some have been burnt. The structural integrity of the bridge is compromised,” he said. He also said that policemen should be deployed to the site to secure any valuables that might be found during the demolition. “If we find even a pin, it should be recorded and returned but I can tell you that what I have seen so far are mostly iron doors and partitions.“There are no significant goods inside,” Umahi said. The minister emphasised that there would be no going back on the decision to demolish and conduct a thorough examination of the bridge. “We are not trying to punish anyone, we are trying to save lives. Every illegal structure under this bridge must go before Monday ends,” he said. Report says that the contract for the rehabilitation of the Iddo Bridge was awarded in 2024 to Julius Berger Plc. In April, Umahi, explained that one of the major problems with the bridge was low headroom clearance. He noted that a section of the bridge had a headroom of about 3.0 metres, far below the required minimum of 5.6 metres. According to the minister, the situation has resulted in frequent collisions by trucks, which hit the underside of the bridge deck and caused structural damage. Umahi also raised concerns about shops near the bridge which were selling chemicals, warning that such activities posed serious safety risks. He noted that a chemical once caught fire near the bridge and caused extensive damage to the structure. He said that the bridge’s structural elements had been significantly compromised and required urgent attention. (NAN)

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the Air Component of Operation Delta Safe, has between January and May, destroyed more than 100 illegal refining sites through airstrikes in the Niger Delta.The Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, made this known in a statement on Sunday, in Abuja.

Ejodame said the NAF executed over 173 missions and 265 sorties, accumulating approximately 270 flying hours in support of joint military operations and independent strikes across key oil-producing states. He said the airstrikes also destroyed 53 boats, 74 cooking tanks, two reservoirs and several transport vehicles.According to him, these actions significantly degraded the capacity of oil thieves and vandals operating along critical corridors such as Buguma, Imo River, Port Harcourt, Okrika, Egbema/Ohaji and the Trans Niger Pipeline Right of Way.“The operations are aligned with national efforts to curb militancy, stop environmental degradation caused by illegal refining, and protect strategic oil and gas infrastructure, the backbone of Nigeria’s economy,” he said.NAF spokesman said the NAF had intensified air operations in the Niger Delta, recording significant successes in the ongoing fight against crude oil theft and the protection of vital national assets.He said the NAF 115 Special Operations Group (115 SOG), which hosts the air component had maintained a high tempo of aerial missions across the region, dismantling illegal refining sites and disrupting the logistics of criminal networks.“While the NAF continues to promote civil-military cooperation and community development in the region, it emphasises that the kinetic component of its campaign remains essential to uprooting entrenched criminal networks.“These sustained air operations underscore NAF’s commitment to national security and economic stability by ensuring that Nigeria’s oil heartland remains secure and productive,” he added. (NAN)

The Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Mr Kabir Akanbi has called on members of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC) to ensure balanced, fair and objective in reporting.Akanbi made the call while receiving the Executive members of NAJUC Abuja chapter, who paid him a courtesy visit.

He also them to protect the sector’s image and credibility through well informed, researched, unbiased and factual reportage of its activities. He expressed dismay that reports in public space about the judiciary have been disappointing and uncalled for especially from the social media.Akanbi said judicial officers should not be disrespected, condemned and rubbished because of the perceived mistakes of the few.“I make bold to say that majority of the judicial officers in the country are men of honour, integrity, highly educated and impeccable characters, who have been discharging their adjudicatory duties without blemish, fear or favour.“It is very unpatriotic and unfair to label the Judiciary, particularly, judicial officers as generally not living up to expectations of Nigerians in terms of dispensation of justice, just because of a few lapses,” he said.He noted that the few identified bad eggs are being called to order through the instrumentality of the National Judicial Council so as to maintain the sacred duty of the arm of the government.He said that dishing out sensational reports by some media houses, especially social media in a bid to gain attention and visibility, only end up robbing off on the reputation of Nigeria as a country.“Most of the reports are targeted at few judicial officers and the Bench because they don’t have information officers, or personal assistants that will speak in their defence.“When these reports are reeled out to the public without proper fact checking, the public always believed, and at the end of the day, it is Nigeria as a country that has her name dragged into the mud’’.He insisted that some of the reports tend to portray the country in bad image and have exposed Nigeria and Nigerians to ridicule and unfair treatment in some foreign countries.Earlier, the Chairman of NAJUC, Abuja chapter, Mr Kayode Lawal thanked the Chief Registrar for finding time to play host to the Executive members of the association adding that the visit was mainly to congratulate him on his appointment as the Chief Registrar.Lawal reminded Akanbi that judiciary correspondents are also the spokespersons for judicial officers through the dissemination of their judgments to the general public, hence, the need to work in harmony.He also reminded him of the enormous tasks as he spearheads the administrative leadership of the apex court and charged him to justify the trust and confidence reposed in him with the appointment.Lawal expressed optimism that Akanbi would excel in the revered position, in view of his vast experience and rich background as a thorough bred lawyer, astute administrator and manager of men and resources.He assured the Chief Registrar of NAJUC’s resolve to be factual, objective and fair in their day to day reportage of the Judiciary.Mr Tobi Soniyi, the Special Assistant (Media), to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, (CJN) Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun had informed the Chief Registrar that NAJUC and the Supreme Court have a long standing relationship and pleaded that the cordiality be upheld and sustained. (NAN)