Metro
Alade Estate, Allen Avenue Under ‘Siege’ as Exclusive Neighbourhood Turns Slum
Just like other highbrow areas in Lagos State, their area was originally designed to be an exclusive neighbourhood meant only for Residential , devoid of the rowdiness and overpopulation which characterises slum areas.
However, the once serene and exclusive neighbourhood of Alade and Allen Avenue is fast turning into a slum, where all sorts of vices are carried out both day and night.
As a result, the residents are now perpetually living in fear for their security. Daily they are confronted with strange faces, miscreants, hemp smokers, hard drugs peddlers who do drugs openly, hideout for criminals who do crime in the open, bureau-de- change operators, who have turned the demolished Alade market to their permanent base of operation.
Streets such as Adegbeyemi, Afolabi Aina & Olorunnishola that leads to the estate have been taken over by shanties, street traders, bureau-de-change operators, and others, thereby disfiguring the beautiful and serene environment the residential area was known for.
To draw the attention of the governor to their predicament, the residents have written a petition to The Ikeja Local Government Chairman, Ministry of Environment, Environmental Taskforce and the Commissioner of Police appealing to them to rescue them from the slum their area is fast turning into.
They advocated for permanent removal of street traders, shanties, hard drug dealers in all the adjoining streets starting from the back of the demolished Alade market to all nooks and cranny of the area, an area close to the “seat of power”.
In the petition titled “Adegbeyemi, Afolabi Aina and Olorunnishola Street, Allen Avenue, Ikeja Violation of Residential Character, Conversion To Street Trading, Nuisance, Environmental Pollution, Criminal Activities, Threat To Life and Property”,’ the residents stated it’s high time the state government takes action at restoring the lost glory of the area.
“Alade Estate residents and stakeholders wish to alert his Excellency and all the relevant environmental agencies, Ikeja local government and Commissioner of Police to the menace being caused at Alade, Allen Avenue, Ikeja. It is depressing to see Alade, Allen Avenue area turned into an eyesore, the once beautiful, quiet and peaceful area have been turned to another version of ‘SABO’ with an in-flock of illegal street traders who have set up shops, shanties on drainage points and setbacks both for trading in the daytime, and sleeping purposes at night which has led to violation of residential character of the estate and it’s environs, thereby causing nuisance, environmental pollution, criminal activities, threat to life and property. Not only that, the okada riders have suddenly appeared from nowhere and hijacked a whole section of the road that leads into the estate. Illegal and indiscriminate dumping of refuse and defecation in open places has become the order of the day in every nook and cranny of the area, while some have even set up tents and make their homes by the roadside in Alade,” the petition stated.
The residents further complained of potholes damaging their vehicles and how fast their property value is depreciating by the day. Some landlords have moved out, vehicles are vandalised almost on a daily basis with the disappearance of car brain boxes.
Though In 2016, when traders in Alade Market were relocated to the newly built alternative market, it was done with the aim of redeveloping the original market place into a world-class shopping center. The residents lament three years after, that the environment has been turned into an area where ‘street trading, illegal shanties and structures are now the order of the day.
” We believe this menace is an infringement on us as a people living in Alade estate and it has devalued our properties in total. It is no more the clean and peaceful environment it used to be,” they complained.
The residents called on the governor, and chairman of Ikeja local government, Ministry of Environment, The Police and TASKFORCE, to take urgent action at remedying the situation.
“We hereby, appeal to your Excellency, governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the chairman, Ikeja local government, The Police with all the relevant environmental agencies such as the Ministry of Environment and TASKFORCE to come to our aid to put into action specific steps to restore sanity to Alade by urgently addressing and permanently put measures in place to prevent this unpleasant menace from occurring again.
By Eric Elezuo
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has clarified reports making the rounds concerning the death on Tuesday of a former Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, David Shikfu Parradang.
Contrary to reports that the ex-NIS boss was murdered by armed robbers, who attacked him on his way from a bank, he was found dead, seated on a chair, in an Abuja hotel room, according a statement signed by the FCT Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, and made available tobthis medium.
The statement titled FCT POLICE RESPOND TO MISREPORTED DEATH OF RETIRED COMPTROLLER GENERAL DAVID PARRADANG, noted that “On March 3, 2025, at approximately 12:00 PM, Mr. Parradang arrived at Joy House Hotel, Area 3 Junction, driving a black Mercedes Benz. He checked into the hotel, paying a sum of Twenty two thousand naira (N22,000) for one night’s stay. Shortly thereafter, he directed the hotel room attendant to escort a female guest who had come to visit to his room. This lady left the hotel premises around 04:00PM of the same day.
“Mr. Parradang did not exit his room after the lady left. Around 04:00 AM of 04 March 2025, a friend who is a military officer, concerned for his wellbeing, traced him to the hotel. Upon arrival, the hotel receptionist and the officer proceeded to his room, where Mr. Parradang was found deceased, seated in a chair.
“The Durumi Police Station was notified and officers promptly arrived at the scene, secured the area, took photographs, and collected all relevant evidence to preserve the integrity of the crime scene. The body has been transferred to the National Hospital for necessary procedures, and hotel staff are currently cooperating with Police investigations.
“Effort is in top gear to effect the arrest of the lady.”
In the light of the corrected misappropriation of report, the Police therefore, “urge the public and media outlets to refrain from spreading unverified information, including claims of kidnapping, that may incite fear or panic.”
The Command further vow its commitment “to conducting a thorough investigation to uncover the circumstances surrounding Mr. Parradang’s death” while appreciating the cooperation and understanding of the public.
Parradang served over three decades in the NIS.
During his career, he occupied numerous roles, culminating in his appointment as comptroller general.
His career took him across multiple regions, where he served in states such as Kano, Lagos, Kwara, Enugu and the FCT.
Mudashiru Obasa has been returned as the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Obasa was reinstated following the resignation of Mojisola Meranda, who stepped down from the role with immediate effect.
He was returned as the speaker during Monday’s plenary session.
In January, Obasa was impeached by members of the Lagos State House of Assembly over multiple allegations of fraud.
Digital solutions provider, Globacom, has partnered with the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy to host the 2025 International Submarine Cable Resilience Summit in Abuja. Organized by the Ministry in partnership with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC), the summit brought together international stakeholders and experts in the telecommunication sector to drive innovation, collaboration and tangible actions. It was co-sponsored by Globacom.
The company, which owns the Glo 1 submarine cable wholly, joined other global stakeholders in the telecommunications and digital landscape in the discussions aimed at bolstering the resilience of cable networks for the benefit of consumers.
Having realized the importance of submarine cables quite early, Globacom deployed Glo 1 from Europe to Africa in 2010. In 2024 when fibre cuts impacted economic, governmental and private activities across West Africa, Glo 1 saved the day for many customers. The cable system was up and running due to its resilience and the constant maintenance strategies deployed by the company. Its capacity was recently upgraded to serve more and more customers and ensure reliable connectivity at all times.
Declaring the two-day summit open, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, highlighted the significant role submarine cables play in enhancing smooth operation of modern economies.
“Submarine cables form the backbone of global digital connectivity, carrying over 95% of international data traffic, linking continents, and enabling the smooth operation of modern economies. Yet, despite their significance, these infrastructures remain vulnerable to disruptions—whether from natural disasters, geopolitical tensions, accidental damage, or evolving cyber threats”, he stated.
In the light of this, the Minister emphasized the various commitments Nigeria has made under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to strengthen its digital infrastructure and advance policies that support connectivity, innovation, and economic growth.
“We have taken decisive steps as a nation to recognize and protect telecommunications infrastructure as Critical National Infrastructure, aligning with our broader efforts to enhance digital resilience across sectors,” he noted.
In her address, the Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Doreen Bogdan-Martin, emphasized the symbolism of the global undersea network in the realm of innovation and the investment necessary to connect the world meaningfully, highlighting the extent of human reliance on digital infrastructure.
Also speaking, Prof. Sandra Maximiano, Co-Chair, Advisory Board of ITU, addressed the challenges and the need to preventing cable cuts from occurring, emphasizing the importance of bolstering resilience by guaranteeing the availability of technical resources, such as vessels, stockpiles, and spare parts, in areas with lower submarine cable density. Additionally, he underscored the need to align regulatory measures with the demands of resilience.
The event also featured several panel sessions dedicated to the critical dimensions of submarine cable resilience.
