Metro
While We Banned Minibus Operations in Lekki – Lagos Govt
The Lagos State Government has declared that the restriction of unregulated minibuses, popularly called Korope, along the Lekki-Epe Expressway is a permanent, data-driven policy, following a protest by the drivers.
In an official rejoinder on Tuesday, signed by the Special Adviser on Transportation to the Governor, Sola Giwa, the state condemned the blockade of the Ajah axis, describing the drivers’ actions as “economic sabotage” and a threat to public safety.
The statement read: “The attention of the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation has been drawn to reports of a protest by operators of Korope minibuses which temporarily obstructed movement along the Lekki–Epe Expressway, particularly around the Ajah axis.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Lekki–Epe corridor has formally transitioned into a Mass Transit and Regulated Transport Corridor under the Bus Reform Initiative (BRI) framework of the Lagos State Government.
“This transition is deliberate, data-driven, and in alignment with the State’s long-term vision for a safer, more efficient, and economically viable transport ecosystem.”
“The restriction of unregulated Korope operations on that expressway is not sudden, arbitrary, or targeted,” the statement continued.
“Stakeholder engagement preceded enforcement. Multiple consultations were held with transport unions, corridor operators, and relevant associations. Sensitisation exercises, public advisories, and structured notifications were issued well ahead of enforcement to ensure clarity and compliance,” it noted.
Giwa condemned the protest, which saw several of minibus drivers use their vehicles to obstruct the expressway, and left thousands of commuters stranded.
He wrote: “It is, therefore, unfortunate that despite being fully aware of the policy direction and the regulatory position of government, certain operators chose to disrupt public order by blocking a critical expressway that serves thousands of commuters daily. Such actions undermine public safety, economic productivity, and the collective progress of the corridor.
“The Lekki–Epe Expressway is a strategic economic artery linking residential, commercial, industrial, and maritime assets including the Free Trade Zone. Allowing unregulated operations that compromise traffic flow, safety standards, and structured mass transit reforms would reverse the gains already recorded on the corridor.”
He confirmed he had engaged directly with the Commissioner of Police and Area Commanders to ensure “heightened enforcement, proactive patrol, and sustained vigilance” to prevent further breakdowns of law and order.
The state government urged the protesting drivers to align with the new regulatory framework rather than resorting to chaos.
The statement read: “We urge all operators to align with the regulatory framework guiding the corridor and embrace structured participation within the formal transport system.
“Reforms under the Bus Reform Initiative are designed to improve safety, predictability, and dignity within the transport ecosystem. Lawful engagement remains welcome. However, disruption of public infrastructure will not be tolerated.”
Gunmen suspected to be kidnappers have attacked a commercial bus operated by GUO Transport along the Benn-Ore expressway, killing the driver and abducting several passengers in what underscores Nigeria’s deepening insecurity on major highways.
Reports indicate that the assailants ambushed the South East-bound vehicle, opened fire on the driver, who died at the scene, and subsequently whisked away passengers to an unknown destination.
The incident is believed to have occurred along a notorious stretch of the highway linking the South-West to the South-South, long plagued by banditry and abductions.
While official confirmation from security agencies is expected, local sources and a circulating video showed that passengers might have forcefully been taken into nearby forests, a tactic commonly employed by kidnapping syndicates operating along the corridor. Similar attacks in the past have involved mass abductions, with victims later released after ransom payments.
The Executive Secretary/CEO of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, on Thursday paid a high-profile courtesy visit to the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Agency (LNSA), where he lauded the agency’s operational efficiency, technological advancement, and grassroots-driven policing model.
Dr. Ogunsan in company of the fund’s Director of Administration, Mr. Adegbola Lewis were received at the LNSA headquarters by the agency’s General Manager, Dr. Ifalade Oyekan, alongside top officials and personnel. In a ceremonious display underscoring the importance of the visit, the LSSTF boss was accorded a mounted guard of honour. He was also decorated with LNSA Medal of Honour and presented with a commemorative lapel pin in recognition of his contributions to strengthening Lagos’ security architecture.
The visit featured an extensive tour of the agency’s facilities, during which Dr. Ogunsan inspected a range of modern security assets, including surveillance drones, body-worn cameras, and other high-tech equipment deployed to enhance intelligence gathering and rapid response operations.
The Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Agency, established by the Lagos State Government as a community-based security outfit, plays a critical role in complementing conventional law enforcement agencies such as the Nigeria Police. Its core mandate includes grassroots intelligence gathering, routine patrols, crime prevention, and fostering peaceful coexistence within communities. Officers of the agency, largely drawn from the local population, leverage their deep knowledge of their respective neighbourhoods to monitor suspicious activities, mediate disputes, and provide actionable intelligence to security agencies.
Speaking after the inspection, Dr. Ogunsan expressed admiration for the strides recorded under Dr. Oyekan’s leadership, particularly highlighting the effectiveness of the agency’s community policing framework.
“The strength of the LNSA lies in its people-oriented approach. Having officers who live and serve within their communities builds trust, enhances intelligence gathering, and ultimately strengthens public safety,” he said. “What we have seen here today reflects strategic investment, innovation, and a clear commitment to safeguarding lives and property.”
He reaffirmed the commitment of the LSSTF to sustaining support for the Lagos Neighborhood Safely Agency (LNSA) and other security agencies across the state, noting that security remains a critical pillar for economic growth, social stability, and investor confidence in Lagos.
In his response, Dr. Oyekan expressed appreciation for the continued partnership and support that the agency has enjoyed over the years from the LSSTF, describing it as instrumental to the agency’s operational successes. He reiterated that the agency’s neighbourhood-based policing structure which is anchored on local familiarity and collaboration remains central to its mission of proactive crime prevention and effective security delivery.
The visit highlights the growing synergy between key security stakeholders in Lagos State, in a bid to strengthen intelligence-led and community-driven strategies to address evolving security challenges in Nigeria’s commercial nerve centre and West Africa’s economic hub.
Adron Homes and Properties Limited delivered a commanding performance at the grand finale of the 2026 Ibadan Cultural Festival, firmly establishing its dominance as Nigeria’s leading real estate brand. At the iconic Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, the company did not just sponsor the event, it took control of the narrative, transforming the cultural celebration into a powerful showcase of brand strength, innovation, and market authority.
With the presence of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, alongside a distinguished assembly of traditional rulers, high chiefs, and top government dignitaries, Adron Homes leveraged the high-profile platform to reinforce its influence at the intersection of culture, community, and modern development. The royal commendation from the Olubadan, who openly praised the company’s contribution, further cemented Adron’s growing stature as a key driver of cultural and socio-economic advancement.
Speaking at the event, the Group Managing Director, Mrs. Adenike Ajobo, projected a bold and uncompromising vision, emphasizing that Adron Homes is not just building houses but creating ecosystems where heritage, lifestyle, and modern living seamlessly converge. She reaffirmed that the company’s presence in Ibadan is strategically positioned to redefine the city’s residential landscape while embedding the brand deeply within the cultural fabric of its people.
Adron Homes’ activation proved to be one of the most dominant features of the festival. The “Adron Experience” zone became the epicenter of engagement, attracting massive crowds through immersive brand interactions, including the viral 360-degree video booth that drove widespread digital visibility. Simultaneously, the Ibadan Sales Team executed a results-driven engagement strategy, converting high foot traffic into real business opportunities while showcasing Adron’s expanding portfolio of modern, world-class estates transforming the city’s iconic skyline.
By seamlessly integrating its “Home Festival” concept into the cultural celebration, Adron Homes blurred the line between tradition and innovation, delivering an unmatched brand experience that competitors could not rival. As the festival drew to a close, one message was unmistakable, Adron Homes did not just participate; it dominated, setting a new benchmark for corporate cultural investment and reinforcing its position as the brand defining the future of real estate in Nigeria.
