crime

Lagos Assembly Decries Abduction of NYSC Prospective Corps Member

Published

9 months ago

January 30, 2026

Q Tinny

The Lagos State House of Assembly has condemned the abduction of a prospective corps member in Kogi, calling for urgent security collaboration to secure her release

The Lagos State House of Assembly has condemned the abduction of a Prospective Corps Member, Binuyo Lateefah, and called for urgent inter-governmental collaboration and enhanced security measures to ensure her immediate rescue.

Also read: Lagos Assembly Denies Abuja House Claim, Cautions Against Election Propaganda

The House’s resolution followed a matter of urgent public importance raised by Omolara Olumegbon, who informed lawmakers that the victim was abducted on January 22, 2026, along the Kogi axis while travelling to Taraba State for her National Youth Service Corps assignment.

Olumegbon disclosed that the abductors were demanding a ransom of N30 million, describing the incident as alarming and a serious threat to the safety of young Nigerians answering the call to national service.

She urged the House to write to the Federal Government to strengthen security arrangements for prospective corps members travelling to their various states of deployment.

The lawmaker also called on the Assembly to formally engage the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to intervene by liaising with the Kogi State Government to facilitate the victim’s safe rescue.

Contributing to the debate, Noheem Adams commended President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to improving security across the country, noting that there had been notable improvements compared to previous administrations, while stressing that more still needed to be done to protect citizens.

Similarly, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, Ogundipe Stephen, praised the Nigerian military for its ongoing efforts to safeguard lives and property but emphasised the need for intensified action, particularly in addressing kidnappings along major travel routes.

Ogundipe appealed directly to Governor Sanwo-Olu to engage his Kogi State counterpart to ensure swift intervention and coordination among relevant security agencies.

In his submission, Tobun Abiodun advised that the House, through the National Assembly, should write to the Director-General of the NYSC to review current deployment procedures.

He suggested that the posting of prospective corps members to distant or high-risk areas should be reconsidered to reduce exposure to avoidable dangers.

Ruling on the matter, Speaker Mudashiru Obasa described the incident as deeply disheartening, noting that it was painful that young Nigerians who had completed their education and were ready to serve the nation were being subjected to threats such as kidnapping.

“At a time when some people are unwilling to pursue education, it is troubling that those who have finished their studies and are prepared to serve Nigeria are being exposed to such risks,” Obasa said.

He stressed the need to engage the NYSC Director-General on the responsibility of ensuring the safety and security of prospective corps members, from the point of travel to their places of deployment and their eventual return home.

Obasa added that while he was confident the Lagos State Governor had already taken steps regarding the incident, efforts should be intensified by liaising with the Kogi State Government and formally writing to the Inspector-General of Police to intervene in the case and prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Meanwhile, the Kogi State Police Command has confirmed the abduction of Binuyo Lateefah. Speaking on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Saliu Afusat, said security agencies were working to secure her release.

Also read: Lagos Assembly Defers LASPA GM Confirmation Over Irregularities

“Yes, I am aware. I can’t disclose details. Efforts are being made to secure her release,” Afusat said.

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crime

EFCC Uncovers Illegal Industrial Complex in Ogun, Arrests Foreigners

Published

9 hours ago

November 8, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has uncovered a sprawling illegal industrial complex in Ogere, Ogun State, allegedly involved in petroleum refining, lithium processing, illegal mining and other unauthorised industrial activities.

The operation, led by the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, reportedly resulted in the arrest of foreign nationals, police officers and other Nigerians suspected of involvement in activities at the facility.

The discovery was disclosed on Saturday, November 7, following an inspection of the complex by the commission’s chairman and other officials.

According to the findings, the facility, allegedly operated by foreign nationals believed to be Chinese, contained several industrial installations, including a petroleum processing plant, a lithium processing factory, a specialised wood-processing facility and a power generation plant.

Investigators also reportedly discovered warehouses stocked with motorcycles, satellite communication equipment and thousands of power banks.

The commission said the complex was allegedly being used for large-scale illegal mining of precious stones and the processing of petroleum products without the required authorisations.

It also uncovered suspected production of unwholesome alcoholic beverages at the site.

The latest findings came days after the EFCC announced the discovery of an illegal oil refinery in Ogere, where operatives found underground tanks believed to have been used for heating and processing sludge oil.

The earlier operation was conducted on October 31 by operatives of the commission’s Lagos Zonal Directorate 2 following intelligence gathering and surveillance of suspected illegal refining activities.

According to the EFCC, preliminary investigations indicated that the operators sourced sludge oil, also known as black sludge, from Warri in Delta State and Port Harcourt in Rivers State before transporting it to Ogere for processing.

The commission said the operators subjected the material to intense heat, allowing lighter petroleum components to pass through chambers and filters in a process believed to produce Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel, for sale in the Nigerian market.

Two underground tanks inspected during the operation contained substances suspected to be AGO.

The refinery was deserted when operatives initially arrived, while security personnel at the premises reportedly told investigators that the alleged Chinese operators had never disclosed their identities or the name of the company behind the operation.

However, the subsequent inspection led by Olukoyede revealed that the location housed a much wider range of industrial activities than the petroleum processing operation initially uncovered.

The EFCC has described the activities as a serious threat to the country’s economy, particularly because of their alleged implications for legitimate businesses, government revenue and regulatory compliance.

The discovery has also raised concerns about the activities of foreign operators allegedly engaging in unauthorised industrial and extractive operations in Nigeria.

The commission is expected to establish the identities of the operators, determine the ownership structure of the complex and investigate the extent of the alleged economic and environmental violations.

The arrests of foreign nationals, police officers and other Nigerians also suggest that investigators are examining possible local involvement and support for the operations.

The EFCC has yet to disclose the full identities of those arrested or the exact financial value of the industrial installations and materials recovered.

The investigation is expected to determine those responsible for the alleged activities and establish the extent of losses arising from the operations.