A fire broke out on Tuesday afternoon at the six-story Afriland Tower on Broad Street, Marina, Lagos Island, trapping dozens of workers inside the commercial building.

The structure, which houses a branch of United Bank for Africa (UBA) and offices of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), was engulfed in smoke around 1:30 p.m., forcing panicked employees to flee. Eyewitness videos shared online showed some workers jumping from upper floors in desperate attempts to escape.

Emergency responders from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, supported by the Federal Fire Service, arrived swiftly on the scene and battled the flames for hours before bringing the situation under control by late afternoon.

Authorities confirmed that at least 11 people sustained injuries ranging from smoke inhalation to fractures sustained in escape attempts. All victims were evacuated to nearby hospitals, while no fatalities have been reported so far.

Officials say investigations are underway to determine the cause of the fire, with early reports suggesting the possibility of electrical faults.

The incident has raised concerns over fire safety compliance and emergency preparedness in high-rise commercial buildings within Lagos Island’s busy business district.

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The political landscape of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Federal Constituency shifted on Saturday as Hon. Francis Barthlomew Chima, popularly known as OmoBarca, officially defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and declared his ambition to contest for the House of Representatives seat in 2027.

The declaration ceremony, held in Ajeromi-Ifelodun, attracted a large turnout of party faithful, community leaders, and supporters. It was also graced by prominent ADC figures, including the party’s National Secretary, Hon. Rauf Aregbesola, and former Lagos governorship candidate, Hon. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour. Their presence highlighted the significance of OmoBarca’s entry into the party as ADC intensifies efforts to expand its influence in Lagos ahead of the next general elections.

OmoBarca’s Vision for Ajeromi-Ifelodun

In his address, OmoBarca emphasized that his ambition is rooted in service, pledging to deliver people-centered representation if elected.

“I am stepping into this race with the sole aim of empowering my people in Ajeromi-Ifelodun,” he said. “I want a constituency where youths have access to jobs and skills, women are supported in business, and children enjoy better education. That is the kind of representation I intend to bring to Abuja.”

He further appealed to his political opponents to prioritize fair competition over post-election disputes, stressing that electoral mandates should be respected.

“I want to win this election on the strength of the people’s support. I don’t want any contestant to drag me to court if I emerge victorious. Let us respect the mandate of the electorate and focus on building our communities together,” he added.

ADC Leaders Back OmoBarca

Welcoming him to the party, Hon. Rauf Aregbesola described OmoBarca as a grassroots politician with a proven record of philanthropy and community service. He expressed confidence that OmoBarca’s candidacy would boost ADC’s chances in Ajeromi-Ifelodun, historically a battleground for dominant parties.

Hon. Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour also commended OmoBarca’s consistency and passion for grassroots empowerment. He urged residents to rally behind the ADC candidate, stressing that credible representation at the National Assembly remains key to meaningful development.

Campaign Kickoff and Political Implications

The event also featured the inauguration of OmoBarca’s campaign team, with hundreds of supporters pledging loyalty to his candidacy. Party members hailed his defection as a “game-changer” with the potential to alter electoral dynamics in the constituency.

Political observers note that OmoBarca’s grassroots popularity, combined with national-level backing from the ADC, positions him as a formidable contender in one of Lagos State’s most politically vibrant constituencies.

As the 2027 general elections approach, his declaration sets the stage for a high-stakes contest that could reshape political alignments in Ajeromi-Ifelodun.

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The Lagos State Police Command has arrested a 65-year-old man, Chibuike Azubike, for orchestrating a fraudulent scheme under the guise of installing himself as the “Obi of Lagos.”

Azubike was arrested alongside three alleged accomplices while making preparations for a fake coronation ceremony scheduled for Saturday, September 13, 2025, at Apple Hall in the Amuwo Odofin area.

According to the police, Azubike confessed that the entire plan, including the unveiling of a fictitious N1.5 billion “Palace of the Obi of Lagos,” was fabricated to deceive unsuspecting members of the public and extort money from them. The suspect revealed that the purported coronation was never legitimate but rather a carefully staged scam designed to attract guests, investors, and donations.

The police investigation also showed that Azubike, who paraded himself as an engineer, had no such professional qualifications. He reportedly told detectives that he was only a construction material supplier.

“We have arrested the suspect and his accomplices, and they will face prosecution once investigations are concluded,” said Babaseyi Oluseyi, Deputy Public Relations Officer of the Lagos State Police Command.

“The so-called palace unveiling was simply a front for fraud, and there is no recognition or approval of Azubike’s claims by any traditional council or authority in Lagos.”

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has warned residents to be wary of people exploiting cultural heritage and traditional titles to perpetrate scams. “Such fraudulent acts will be met with the full weight of the law,” he emphasized.

The police command reassures residents of its commitment to maintaining peace, security, and public order while protecting citizens from criminal deception.

READ FULL DETAILS FROM THE POLICE

UPDATE ON ARREST OF SELF-ACCLAIMED “OBI OF LAGOS” ALONG WITH THREE OTHER SUSPECTS

• Preliminary Investigation Update on Self-Acclaimed “Obi of Lagos” and His Fraudulent Activities

The Lagos State Police Command wishes to inform the public of updates on the ongoing investigation into the criminal activities of the principal suspect, Engr. Chibuike Azubike ‘m’, aged 65 years, who recently acclaimed himself as the “Obi of Lagos” and announced plans for the “…unveiling of the prototype of a ₦1.5 BILLION PALACE of Obi of Lagos State…” at Apple Hall, Amuwo Odofin, Lagos, a ceremony scheduled for Saturday, 13th September 2025.

2. Investigation so far revealed that the principal suspect, Engr. Chibuike Azubike, later confessed to the Police that he is not a qualified engineer but merely a supplier of construction materials to construction companies, which formed the basis upon which he has been parading himself as an engineer.

3. Further findings revealed that the planned unveiling of the “Obi of Lagos Palace” was fraudulently designed as a ploy to swindle unsuspecting personalities and other Nigerians of their hard-earned money under the guise of the “…unveiling of the prototype of a ₦1.5 BILLION PALACE of Obi of Lagos State.”

4. It was also established that the principal suspect acted alone, without the backing or recognition of any legitimate chieftaincy authority. Members of the public are therefore enjoined to disregard his claims and other misleading publications on social media aimed at causing disaffection among the peace-loving people of Lagos. Meanwhile, investigation is ongoing, and all suspects involved will be arraigned in court upon conclusion of the investigation.

5. The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, strongly enjoins the people of Lagos to remain vigilant and not to fall prey to fraudsters of the likes of Chibuike Azubike and his gang. He further reassures the good people of Lagos State of the Command’s unwavering commitment to maintaining peace, security, and public order while protecting citizens against all forms of criminal deception.

DSP BABASEYI B. OLUSEYI
DEPUTY POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FOR: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
LAGOS STATE COMMAND
IKEJA

SEPTEMBER 11, 2025

A tense standoff on the Third Mainland Bridge on Monday has ended, with the Lagos State Police Command confirming that order has been restored after residents of the Oworonshoki community blocked the highway in protest.

The demonstrators, who are occupants of unapproved buildings along the Iyana Oworonshoki coastline, took to the bridge after their homes were demolished on Saturday by a combined enforcement team of the Lagos State Government.

According to reports, the residents had been served a one-month quit notice but refused to vacate, prompting the demolition exercise and subsequent protest that triggered gridlock across the busy corridor.

Providing an update on his social media account, the Command’s Deputy Public Relations Officer, DSP Babaseyi Oluseyi, confirmed that normalcy was restored after Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, personally visited the scene to address the protesters.

“Calm has been fully restored on the 3rd Mainland Bridge after the swift intervention of CP Olohundare Jimoh. The Lagos Police Commissioner ensured safety and order, and reopened the road. Traffic is now flowing smoothly,” Oluseyi wrote.

Traffic has since resumed, but the incident has reignited debates around housing rights, urban planning, and forced evictions in Lagos State.

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A violent clash broke out in the Mandilas area of Lagos Island on Wednesday, leaving one person confirmed dead after a stabbing incident.

The Lagos State Police Command confirmed that a suspect has been arrested and that normalcy has been restored to the busy commercial hub.

How It Happened

According to eyewitnesses, the confrontation began as an argument between two young men over the sharing of money from a job. The heated exchange quickly escalated, and one of the men allegedly stabbed the other during the scuffle.

The victim was rushed for medical attention but later died from his injuries.

Police & Community Reaction

Bystanders reportedly descended on the suspect, beating him severely before handing him over to the police. Security operatives were swiftly deployed to the area to prevent further violence.

However, tensions heightened when friends of the deceased expressed anger over the incident, sparking minor skirmishes in the vicinity. Many traders and shop owners shut down abruptly as panic spread across adjoining streets.

What’s Next

While calm has since returned to Mandilas, authorities have not released the full identity of the victim. Police say investigations are ongoing and have assured residents that further updates will be provided.

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